Lime Cucumber Soup With A Kick Food

COLD CUCUMBER SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the cucumbers, bell peppers, green onions, jalapenos, cilantro, mint, dill, garlic, Essence, salt, cayenne, yogurt, 2 cups sour cream, olive oil, and white wine vinegar in a large bowl. Working in batches, puree the ingredients in a blender until very smooth. Transfer the soup to the refrigerator until well chilled, at least 2 hours. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the soup, with each bowl garnished with a dollop of the remaining sour cream and some of the minced chives.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

CUCUMBER SOUP

Steps:

• Finely chop a third of one of the cucumbers and set aside for when you're ready to serve later. Roughly chop the remaining cucumbers and tip into a blender or food processor along with the yogurt and the lime juice from one lime. Add the tarragon, most of the mint leaves and most of the chives. Blitz until the mixture is smooth. Taste the soup and add some or all of the lime juice from the second lime if you want more acidity.
• Pour the soup into bowls or small cups, scatter over the finely chopped cucumber, remaining mint leaves and the rest of the chives. Drizzle with a little rapeseed oil just before serving.

CHILLED CUCUMBER MINT SOUP

Steps:

• Cut one of the cucumbers into small dice, and set aside for garnish. Cut the others into large chunks. Combine cucumber chunks, garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and water in a blender and puree until smooth.
• Add scallions and mint leaves, reserving some of the mint for garnish, and puree briefly. Season with salt and pepper, and add more lemon juice if a tarter flavor is desired.
• Chill until ready to serve. Stir well before serving, and ladle into bowls or mugs, garnishing each serving with a big spoonful of diced cucumber and a sprig of mint.

LIME-CUCUMBER SOUP WITH A KICK

Steps:

• Grate the zest from the lime and squeeze the juice. Add the zest and juice to a food processor or blender with all of the remaining ingredients except the tequila and the garnish, if using. Blend until smooth. Strain the mixture into a bowl, pressing on the solids to release as much liquid as possible. If desired, strain the mixture again. Cover and refrigerate until chilled through, at least 30 minutes.
• Just before serving, add the tequila and mix well. Ladle into individual bowls and serve immediately, garnished if you like.