Chilled Cucumber-Buttermilk Soup

Serves 4

by Maria Helm Sinskey
from Fine Cooking
Issue 117
Last Edit Date: 5/3/2012 1:56:04 PM

In this summery soup, sour cream bolsters the buttermilk’s tang, which in turn plays up the cooling notes of cucumber; celery lends a savory undertone.

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1-1/2 lb. cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks
2 medium celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 small shallot, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, more to garnish
Kosher salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
Freshly ground black pepper
Chopped chives, to garnish

In a blender, purée the cucumber, celery, shallots, olive oil, and 1 tsp. kosher salt until smooth. Strain through a medium-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Whisk in the sour cream and buttermilk and season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Serve drizzled with olive oil and garnished with chives.

Make Ahead Tips

You can make this soup up to 2 days ahead.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 200; Fat (g): 19; Fat Calories (kcal): 170; Saturated Fat (g): 5; Protein (g): 2; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 11; Carbohydrates (g): 6; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1.5; Sodium (mg): 490; Cholesterol (mg): 15; Fiber (g): 1;