Best Cucumber Buttermilk Soup Recipes

ABDOOGH KHIAR (CHILLED BUTTERMILK CUCUMBER SOUP)

Steps:

• If using dried rose, crumble a few petals coarsely for garnish and set aside. Place the rest on a cutting board and chop as finely as possible.
• Place the buttermilk, yogurt and 1 teaspoon salt in a blender and blend until frothy, about 30 seconds, or whisk together in a large bowl until smooth and frothy. If you used a blender, pour the mixture into a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, raisins, walnuts, dill, chives, dried mint and 1/4 teaspoon of the finely chopped rose petals. Stir well to combine and season to taste with more salt. Cover and refrigerate to chill and allow the flavors to come to life, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Just before serving, toast the lavash or bread until crisp but not burned, and break into pieces. Stir the soup to mix. It should be the consistency of a thin, runny soup. If it's too thick, thin it out with water or more buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time. Keep in mind that you will be adding ice cubes, which will also thin out the soup as they melt. Divide the soup among serving bowls and add the ice cubes. Garnish the top as creatively as you like with crumbled dried rose petals, cucumber, dried mint, dill sprigs, raisins, walnuts and fresh mint leaves. Add the bread pieces right before serving or serve on the side.

CUCUMBER-BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• Roughly chop 1 1/2 cucumbers; dice remaining cucumber half. Place roughly chopped cucumber in a blender with buttermilk and blend until smooth, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Divide soup among four bowls and stir in diced cucumber. To serve, top with cucumber rounds, a drizzle of oil, and more pepper, if desired.

CUCUMBER-MINT BUTTERMILK SOUP

Steps:

• In a blender, puree buttermilk with cucumber and mint until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine sieve. Skim off any foam from surface. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate soup until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
• When ready to serve, stir until smooth. Divide among cups. Sprinkle with pepper, drizzle with oil, and top with mint leaves.

COOL AS A CUCUMBER SOUP WITH BUTTERMILK, DILL, AND VERMOUTH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Peel the cucumbers. Using a small spoon, or a melon baller, scrape the seeds out. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces; toss the cucumbers with the salt and transfer to a colander set over a bowl. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
• Transfer the cucumbers to a blender or food processor, discarding all exuded juices. Puree until smooth; pass through a food mill if desired. Whisk in the buttermilk and dill; set aside.
• Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. When the butter foams, add the shallots and cook 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and stir over medium heat, 10 to 15 seconds. Add the vermouth, bring to a boil, and immediately strain into the reserved cucumber soup. Spread the shrimp and shallot mixture on a plate to cool, then refrigerate. Chill the soup.
• To serve: Adjust the consistency of the soup with more buttermilk if necessary. Season with vinegar, salt (add sparingly; it probably won't need much), and pepper to taste. Divide the shrimp between the chilled soup plates. Ladle the soup over the shrimp and garnish with red onion, chopped tomatoes, and bits of dill strewn about.

BUTTERMILK SOUP WITH CUCUMBER AND CRAB

Steps:

• Chop 2 1/4 cucumbers. Purée chopped cucumbers, buttermilk, yogurt, onion and cumin in blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover; chill until very cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Finely chop remaining 3/4 cucumber. Mound crabmeat in center of 8 bowls, dividing equally. Ladle cold soup around crabmeat. Sprinkle with tomato, green onions and finely chopped cucumber.