Give them the Cold Soup

Cold soups and creams are top stars in the summer. Light and cool, flavorful, packed with vitamins. The best start for a summer meal.

Give Them the Cold Soup

Cold soups and creams are top stars in the summer. Light and cool, flavorful, packed with vitamins. The right appetizer for a summer meal. Try these light, refreshing and delicious recipes. They are original and easy to prepare. No one likes to receive a cold shoulder, but they will love you for giving them the cold soup.

Ajo blanco (white garlic)
Apple gazpacho
Gazpacho
Lettuce cream
Melon and Serrano ham soup
Piquillo pepper cream
Vichyssoise
Curried zucchini cream
Curried zucchini vichyssoise

Will They Keep?

Home made stock can be freezed for 2 or 3 months without a problem. Cold creams and soups can keep for 2 in the fridge, some up to 3 days. Careful! They will spoil if left for too long in the hot summer weather. Once cold enough to put in the fridge, keep them there in tightly closed container.

Too hot or not enough time to chill the soup? Add some ice cubes to the soup. Not too many, the soup will turn to watery.

All You Will Need

Apart from very fresh, first quality ingredients, you will need a few cooking items:

Pans and pots - for sauteing and simmering the soups and creams that require some cooking or to hold the ones that won't make you get close to the stove.

Electric blender - to puree the vegetables raw or once cooked. Any standing blender or food processor will do, but we strongly recommend a hand blender -also called immersion or stick blenders- that can puree your favorite soup right in the pot. Check here.

Sieve, strainer, food mill - to get a smooth texture. The food mill can make the job of an electric blender for cooked vegetables. For raw ones, use the electric blender first and then the sieve or food mill to get rid of skin bits and seeds.

Colander - to wash vegetables. All vegetables should be washed before cooking. Washing is particularly important when vegetables will be eaten raw, even pureed.

 

A Hint of Herbs

Chives grow usually in clusters; for that reason, they are usually referred to only in plural. Thier taste reminds of garlic, the case of Chinese chives, or onions.

Read more...

Choice Tidbits

Get your preparation done, mix some exciting rub, treat yourself to some magnificent barbecue sauce, then gather your family and friends for a fantastic cookout. Unhappily, you also got some unwanted guests, insects. Bugs are plaguing you.

Read more...

Seasonal

The story of the great pumpkin and Jack O' Lantern. Find the origin of this tradition -it reads like a fairy- and many other curious facts about pumpkins.

Read more...

Full of Flavor

A relatively new spice in Western cooking with a sweet berry flavor. Used with fruit and in baking.

Read more...