Cold Thai Cucumber Mint Soup

Although they aren’t packed with flavor, cucumbers overflow with crunchy texture and lush succulence.  Sliced and simply sprinkled with salt, added to green salads or dipped into hummus, this vegetable is versatile and satisfying.

Summer is my favorite season to munch on refreshing cucumbers.  The local farmer’s market is overflowing with the organic Kirby varietal.  Used for both pickling and slicing, the Kirby has a thin skin and minimal seeds as opposed to the waxed, dark green grocery store option.

Kirbies at the Solana Beach Farmer's Market

When my husband and daughter came home with a half dozen light green “cukes”, I challenged myself to use them in an innovative and complimentary manner. The product was this Cold Thai Cucumber Soup.  The soup melds the flavors of mint and cilantro, with a hint of peppery spice from the Serrano pepper.  As a first course, it’s flavorful but light, prepping your taste buds for a more significant dinner. 

Cucumbers are no longer just a salad bar staple.  Challenge yourself to use these summer veggies while they are available straight from the garden.  Cold soup is only the tip of the refreshing iceberg.


Cold Thai Cucumber Mint Soup
3 cucumbers chopped, plus 1 cup finely diced cucumber
1 cup plain yogurt
2/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 chopped fresh serrano pepper (use plastic gloves while handling hot peppers)
• fresh mint sprigs

In a blender puree chopped cucumbers, yogurt, sour cream, cumin, mint, cilantro and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a bowl. Chill soup at least 6 hours or overnight.

Garnish with chopped cucumber and mint sprigs.

Serves 4-6

Check out some other wonderful Cucumber recipes at Summerfest, Foodnetwork.com

Pinch My Salt: Chilled Cucumber, Kefir and Avocado Soup

What’s Gaby Cooking: Cucumber-Basil Gimlet

In Jennie’s Kitchen: Radish-Cucumber Crostini

Big Girl Small Kitchen: Spicy Cucumber Salad with Shallot, Ginger and Mint

Grecian Kitchen: Summer Cucumber Salad

And Love It Too: Cucumber, Mint and Watermelon Salad

Napa Farmhouse 1885: Cucumbers Coolers with Agave Simple Syrup

Cooking With My Kid: Cucumber Limeade

FN Dish: Summer Fest: Cucumber Recipes

CIA Dropout: Relishing Cucumbers

Healthy Eats: Cool Cucumber Soup

Food for 7 Stages of Life: Cucumber Cherry Salsa

Cooking With Elise: Green Tea Cucumber Pops

Glory Foods: Cucumber and Shrimp Boat

Virtually Vegan Mama: Fire-Roasted Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho

Food2: When Life Gives You Cucumbers, Make a Cucumber Cocktail

Cooking Channel: Cucumbers Stuffed with Crab-Mango Salad

Recipe Girl: Bread and Butter Pickles

Taste With the Eyes: Spicy Pickled Cucumbers with Wakame and Garlic Blossoms

Virtually Homemade: Cold Thai Cucumber-Mint Soup

Add a Pinch: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

The Cultural Dish: Ahi Tuna with Cucumber Sauce and Salad

Daily*Dishin: Cool n’ Zesty Cukes: 7 Minute Summer in a Jar

Daydreamer Desserts: Cubanita Margarita

Purple Cook: Cucumber Gazpacho with Indian Flavored Shrimp Relish

Indian Simmer: Cucumber at its Best with Chaat Masala

Big Apple Nosh: Quick and Easy Homemade Pickles

Sweet Life Bake: Agua de Pepino

The Sensitive Epicure: Tzatziki with Grilled Gluten-Free Pitas and Fresh Cucumbers and Peppers

Zaika Zabardast: Cucumber Gazpacho

A Way to Garden: Cucumber-Growing Q&A and the Best Pickles

Cooking with Books: Summer Fest: Cucumbers