{in the pot} avocado "chill" soup

It's 105. Heat index 110 - 115. Hot doesn't do this justice. Oppressive, monsterous, dominant, heavy, looming. When you walk outside it is like breathing in gasoline. It clouds my mind! Have I said enough? You get where I am at?

So being inspired to cook anything is tough. I am trying to cook refreshing, uplifting meals ... not easy. But this recipe, thanks to my good friend and inspired cook, Shari (from rotten bananas) is refreshing. It satisfies ... cools and is delicious. It is just what I needed.

Isn't she beautiful!

If you haven't met Shari or followed her blog rotten bananas you should take a look. She is a wonderful contemporary quilter, with a keen eye for design and color and a fab cook to boot. She is bright and refreshing and a beautiful story teller. This is her recipe (or one that she loves) and I thank her again for sharing it.

It is the cool pool of green I needed in this soup of sweat we are in.

cold avocado soup "saves the day" by shari

1 english cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4 in. cubes

2 avocados, pitted and peeled

4 scallions chopped

1/2 c. non fat plain yogurt

3 T. fresh lime juice

1 small minced jalapeno (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, if desired)

2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

course salt and pepper (I add a little cayenne too! Did I say I love or hate the heat?)

1 t. olive oil

1. In a blender, combine half the cucumber and 1 avocado with the yogurt, lime juice, jalapeno, scallions, 1 T cilantro, 1 c. ice water, 1 1/2 t. salt and 1/4 t pepper. Puree until completely smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Cut remaining avocado into 1/4 inch cubes. Stir avodado and remaining cucumber into soup. Thin with 1/2 to 1 c. water, as desired. Season again with salt and pepper. Chill about 1 hour. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

I thought some slivers of these cool radishes would make a good garnish as well. They were so pretty I just had to add. And below is a hunk of leftover crab cake floating in the cool pool of avocado soup - Ahhhhhh!

enjoy!