Hot Weather Dish!

Since I will be enjoying my food through a straw soon, I am going to make these today. I have a ton of cucumbers from the garden that I need to use. I have tried the first recipe and it does not disappoint. The second is a new one I am going to try out. Don't they look perfect for a hot day?

Avocado-Cucumber Soup with Shrimp

Serves 4

• 1 English cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
• 2 avocados, pitted and peeled
• 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 minced small jalapeno chile (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, if desired)
• 1/3 cup sliced scallions
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 12 medium shrimp (about 6 ounces), peeled and deveined

Directions

1. In a blender, combine half the cucumber and 1 avocado with the yogurt, lime juice, jalapeno, scallions, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1 cup ice water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Puree until completely smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Cut remaining avocado into 1/4-inch cubes. Stir avocado and remaining cucumber into soup. Thin with1/2 to 1 cup ice water, as desired. Season again with salt and pepper. Chill, about 1 hour.
3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp, turning once, until opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with shrimp and remaining tablespoon cilantro.

Cucumber-Buttermilk Gazpacho

Ingredients

Makes 6 cups

• 3/4 cup whole blanched almonds
• 1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds, for serving
• 4 ounces rustic white bread, crust removed, bread cut into chunks
• 2 1/2 pounds Kirby or regular cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped (about 4 3/4 cups), plus 1 unpeeled cucumber, diced, for serving (about 9 cucumbers total)
• 2 small garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup cold water, plus more if needed
• 1 large ripe beefsteak tomato, diced, for serving
• 4 scallions, sliced, for serving
• 1/2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread whole almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and spread sliced almonds in a single layer on another rimmed baking sheet. Toast in oven until brown and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes (sliced ones will brown more quickly). Let cool.
2. Place bread in a bowl, and cover with cold water. Let stand 10 minutes. Squeeze out liquid, and discard.
3. Puree half of each of the whole almonds, bread, peeled cucumbers, and garlic in a blender. Add half of each of the oil and lemon juice, and puree. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat.
4. Stir in buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Add water; if a thinner consistency is desired, add more water. Pass through a medium sieve. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (or overnight). If desired, thin with water before serving. Serve cold. Drizzle with oil, and serve with diced cucumber, tomato, scallions, parsley, and sliced almonds on the side.

First published: July 2007

*from Martha Stewart Living