Summer eatin'

Summer is my favorite season. But it can get hot. For someone who likes to cook, it becomes no fun to be in a hot kitchen on a hot day. So I grill or make things that require little use of the oven and stove.

So I offer my own summer recipe. It's my new favorite, chilled Avocado-Lemon-Shrimp soup. It's delicious and easy! The dish is no-cook and chilled, so you don't have to heat up your kitchen on a hot day and the cold, slightly, salty soup cools you off real well. In my experience it goes well with a light beer, but would also work with margarita or white wine.

It can be an entree in of itself--or if you have an appetite, could be paired with something like grilled pork chops.

My recipe is an adaptation of one in this month's Cooking Light magazine of all places.

I never measure when I cook. The amounts below are estimates and can be changed depending on your own personal tastes. The below version isn't very spicy and would probably taste just as well with a little more kick in the form of more chilis, chili powder, or hot sauce.

COOLED AVOCADO-CITRUS-SHRIMP SOUP

Topping

• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or lime)
• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces of cooked and peeled shrimp, coarsely chopped
• 1 pinch of salt

Chop ingredients and toss in bowl. Chill for at least 15 minutes.

Soup

• Two cups of broth (chicken broth is probably best)
• 2-3 medium-sized avocados, coarsely chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) of great northern beans (0r try another "soft" canned bean)
• 1 can (4 oz) of green chiles, diced
• 1 cup of plain yogurt (or sour cream if you're in a pinch)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or lime)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth.

• 1 medium tomato, finely chopped

Mix in chopped tomato and chill for at least 15 minutes.

• 1/4 cup cotija cheese, finely crumbled

Serve soup in bowls with shrimp topping and cheese.


Best eaten outdoors after a hot day with a cool evening breeze.