Mediterranean Summer Breeze Cold Yogurt Soup Recipes

COLD YOGURT SOUP (ABDOOGH KHIAR)

Steps:

• Puree yogurt, salt, and dried mint in a blender with enough of the water to create a smooth, thin soup. It will thicken some when you add the bread.
• Divide the cucumbers, raisins, walnuts, and herbs among four bowls.
• Pour one-fourth of the yogurt mixture into each bowl.
• Top with rose petals, and add a few ice cubes to each bowl.
• Tear bread into small pieces and add some to each bowl. Let bread soak 5 to 7 minutes before serving. Serve cold.

MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER BREEZE COLD YOGURT SOUP

Steps:

• For each individual bowls; Put 1/2 cup of yogurt in a bowl and then add 1/8 to 1/4 cup cold water (depending on the thickness desired), 1/8 cup cream, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon minced garlic... all to taste; Then blend until creamy smooth.
• Add to each individual bowl, 2 tablespoons feta cheese, 1 tablespoon olives, 2-3 tablespoons bell peppers, 2 tablespoons spring onions; mix slightly.
• Sprinkle on top 2 tablespoons of ground pistachio nuts.
• Chill prior to serving, enjoy.
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• Notes: This soup is best when using whole creamy milk yogurt which can be found in Greek and Middle Eastern grocery stores; or use your own home make yogurt. You can also serve INDIVIDUAL CUPS instead of bowls of this soup. Simply, reduce the amount of ingredients in each cup. Finally, you can add or substitute some of the vegetables. For example, cut up strawberries (add a pinch of sugar in individual bowls), tomatoes or chopped up hard boiled eggs (Arabic style).

MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER BREEZE TUNA ENTRéE

Steps:

• COUSCOUS- Place couscous in a pot and add 2 cups of vegetable stock, 1 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/8 teaspoon turmeric, and cook until almost done; stir and add water as needed (read instructions on package, do not add spice pack if included); Remove from heat.
• Add and mix into cooked couscous pistachio nuts, bell peppers, spring onions, 1/8 cup chopped kalamata olives, tarragon, 1 tablespoon orange zest and keep warm.
• VELOUTE SAUCE- Make a Roux by melting 1-2 tablespoons of butter in a pan. Gradually add some flour and stir constantly until smooth (to achieve the proper consistency, do not burn, no lumps); Then slowly add to the HOT Roux 1 cup COLD vegetable stock, stir and make sure there are no lumps, add 1/8 cup marsala wine; Season with 1 teaspoon salt to taste, add 1-2 tarragon sprigs. Continue to stir until the proper consistency for a thick sauce is achieved; Add 2 tablespoons capers; Set aside and keep warm.
• FISH- Marinate the fish in a large bowl by adding 2 tablespoons lime/lemon juice, toss and leave for 1/2 hour; Then place the tuna steaks on a charcoal grill, baste with butter and/or an olive oil combo, season to taste with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Turn only once on the grill (or frying pan) and again season to taste; DO NOT OVERCOOK TUNA STEAKS, making sure the inside is slightly pink. Remove.
• PLATE- In the center of a large plate add about 3/4 to 1 cup or more of the cooked couscous, and form into a circle; Around the sides add, whole kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, sliced oranges and some of the Veloute Sauce; On top of the couscous place one cooked tuna steak, a little of the Veloute Sauce and sprinkle orange zest on top.
• Serve with a white wine and enjoy!
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• Notes: Again do not overcook the tuna steaks. Instead of grilling you can pan fry or broil the steaks by adding butter/olive oil and season to taste. Finally, if you prefer you can substitute 2 lbs of shrimp instead of tuna steaks; remove the shells, tail, devein and then cut lengthwise slightly.