Indian cucumbersoup with mint
Indian cucumbersoup with mint
Let me just start by saying that this is maybe not the most logical dish while in winter. 
It’s lovely and refreshing, but also… it is supposed to be eaten cold, so if you’re in a summery country right now, this might just be the soup for you. Or if you’re like me – trying to loose weight – it might also be a great lunch dish. I have to confess that I actually did not eat it that cold; you’re suppose to have it chilled for a while before eating it, but since the temperatures outside are still sort of below zero, I figured it would be ok to eat it lukewarm. (saved me the trouble of having to wait until it was cool enough as well. Impatient!!) I am also not sure how authentic Indian this would be, but I guess they call it Indian because it does have some Indian ingredients in there (cumin, cilantro, yogurt; which technically are not Indian ingredients but are just featured in Indian food a lot, right?) It’s a bit of a weird day today as Tom is working from home as well. That then tends to feel like we have a day off! We slept in a little (what better way to start the day then to snuggle up under the warm covers when it’s freezing outside??), then had breakfast in bed and then I figured I should get to work or we would lie in bed all day. I had to finish a weddingbook since the couple is coming tomorrow, plus I have to make a quote for a BIG assignment for foodphotography! Fingers crossed people!!
So on to this soup; it’s quick, it’s easy and very tasty. You could very easily make this less vegetarian by adding maybe little bit of smoked bacon or smoked chicken (after the pureeing part though). I didn’t follow the recipe in terms of qty’s or measurements; just threw in what I thought would be good so just follow your own judgement when adding the spices.
Indian cucumbersoup with mint
Ingredients:
Cucumber, washed and seeds removed. I used about half a cucumber which would do for two people. Slice the cucumber in cubes
1 onion, finely chopped
ground coriander
ground ginger
ground cumin
ground piment
vegetable stock or use a stockcube and about half a liter of water
Yogurt
mint
Directions:
You can also add fresh cilantro to it, if you'd like. The stock and the spices give it enough flavor on it's own but feel free to add more pepper or salt if you want to.
In a medium saucepan heat the oil and fry the onions on medium fire for about 1 minute. Add the cucumberslices or cubes, add coriander, ginger, cumin and piment to your taste. Add 1/2 liter of stock or 1/2 liter of water and a stockcube and boil for about 8-10 minutes until the cucumber is soft.
Puree the soup in a blender or foodprocessor, add salt if you want and leave to cool. Once cooled of spoon the yogurt through the soup. I just added enough yogurt until it was to my liking, so just taste as you go along.
Serve with fresh mint.
PS…. I have lost already more then 5 kilo since beginning of the year!! Whoohoo!!
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
Hm, that does sound really refreshing- One to remember in a few months when it warms up a bit!
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The soup looks like another lassi to me! Should taste good, too! LOL! Got me real curious now … You used normal plain stirred yogurt or Greek one?
Btw, congrats on losing 5 kg in such a short period!! The next Charlize Theron in the making!! =D
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Wow Simone, this look delicious and I can imagine loosing weight with such food!
Congrats on your 5kg off! I don’t have a strong willpower to loose weight 
Good luck with the photo assignment!
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I wish it was a little warmer outside. I’ll have to remember this for the summer.
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I smile when I saw this, because cucumber soup was one of the very few things I used to HATE as a child. I wasn’t very picky, but I just couldn’t eat this – which is even weirder when you consider that I love, and have always loved, cucumbers in every other form.
I haven’t tried this soup in a while… but my tastes have changed quite a bit since childhood, so maybe I should give it another chance. Maybe in the summer, though.
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This sounds so summery!!! Giving me hopes that spring & summer is around the corner (Is it?? ) I am seeing cardinals around. Yes sounds Indian.. we make something called Raita, where we add chopped cucumber to beaten plain yogurt and season it with roasted cumin powder, chili powder and salt.. sometimes mint or cilantro. Serve as a side. almost same flavors as this one.
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wow, congrats on 5 kb!!! Great job.
The soup looks lovely, and I bet it’d be great as sauce or dip if you just reduce the amount of liquid.
Cute bowls.
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Great pics! I’ll be making this when it warms up here.
Thanks for sharing.
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WOW! 5kg is amazing! Keep it up – I know you can do it!!
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Well done with the weight that you have lost!! The soup looks too rich and creamy to be good for you!! Good luck with the assignment!
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Simone (junglefrog) — January 16th, 2010 at 13:44
O but it is really not rich and creamy! It’s the yogurt that has you fooled…
It’s very lean cuisine… 
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This looks wonderful- sometimes I think we all need a nice spring/summer dish in the dead of winter! Congrats on your 5 kilos, that’s terrific!
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I am very curious to try this as I have been experimenting with a ‘similar’ version of my own (only adding a Greek twist to it). I’m going to try your recipe though as I like it’s simplicity. Thanks for sharing Simone! (and the weight loss sounds great!)
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Congratulations Simone – 5 kilos! I think I put on 5 kilos since the start of this year! Argh – maybe now I’ll have to make some of this soup to get back on track – it looks inspiring! And – perfect for the heatwave we are experiencing!
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Way to bring out the summer flavors in the middle of winter! Love the bowl- perfect colors.
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Wonderful flavors in this–I”ve bookmarked it for summer.
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Looks wonderful. I made something very similar last summer for a happy hour and it was very well received.
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Wow, looks so refreshing!
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This would be wonderful chilled in the summer. Is it summer yet?
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