Cucumber Almond Soup

Ingredients:

6 larger lemon cucumbers
1 smaller lemon cucumber
4 garlic
cloves
1/2 tsp. sea salt
3/4 cup toasted almond slivers
2 slices of
stale bread, cut into rough pieces
2 tbsps. grape seed oil (or other mild
oil)
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
1/4 cup cold water
2 tsps. lemon
juice
pinch of white pepper
1 large basil leaf (for garnish)
1 tsp.
lemon zest (for garnish)

Directions:

Thoroughly wash and dry cucumbers.

 Slice a 1/4 inch off the top (stem side) of the 6 larger cucumbers.  Using a spoon and knife as needed, scour and scoop out the insides of cucumbers and put the insides in a blender and set the bowls aside.

Dice the smaller cucumber and set aside. Mince the garlic and sprinkle with salt. Using the back of a wide knife blade, work the salt and garlic together until it forms a smooth paste.

Scrap up the garlic and add to blender. If walnuts aren’t already toasted, do so by spreading on a baking sheet and placing in 200 F oven for about 15 minutes, until golden.

Add toasted almonds to blender, reserving a couple for garnish. Pulse blender to start processing the ingredients. Add the bread and continue to process.

When the mixture is fairly smooth, slowly add the grape seed oil and combine well. Next add the plain yogurt and process again until well combined.

Finally add the cold water and lemon juice. Taste and season a needed with white pepper. Stir (not blend!) the diced cucumber into the soup. Carefully spoon the soup into the cucumber bowls. Put tops on and chill for at least an hour. Before serving, remove tops and garnish soup with ribbons of basil, a pinch of lemon zest, and an almond sliver.

Serve immediately. Yields 6 servings.