Cold Cucumber Soup

Cooked cucumber is a very unusual item in any recipe, but this really will bring accolades and is good for the hot summer months or a first course any time. This scales up or down easily.

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 2  cups  diced  white onions
• 4  cups  thinly sliced leeks
• 4  cups  peeled seeded and chopped English cucumbers
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  cloves diced garlic
• 1⁄2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1⁄2 cup white wine
• 4  cups chicken broth
• 1  cup heavy cream
• 1  tablespoon  snipped fresh dill
• 1  English cucumber, peeled, seeded & finely diced
• 2  tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1  dash red cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Simmer 1st 6 ingredients in covered pot until soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Add next 3 ingredients and hard simmer for 1 hour.
3. Cool and blend (in batches) until very smooth.
4. Add next 5 ingredients, mix well and chill 2 to 24 hours.
5. Serve with 1 rounded tbs sour cream in center of soup bowl.
6. Decorate with oval cucumber slice or twisted slice of lemon or mint leaves.