Chilled Pistachio and Yogurt Soup

prep: 30 minutes (plus cooling)
cook: 5 minutes

makes 6 (6 ounce) servings

you’ll need…
1 cup shelled, peeled and chopped pistachio nuts, divided
2 cups plain Greek yogurt (non-fat, 2% or whole)
1¼ cup seedless cucumber, peeled and diced, divided
1 clove garlic
1 cup iced water
¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers divided
¼ cup chopped mint, divided
¼ cup chopped dill, divided
¼ cup chopped chives, divided
salt to taste

let’s get to it…
Heat a large frying pan on medium heat. Add the nuts and toast for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Blend ½ cup cooled pistachio nuts, yogurt, 1 cup cucumber, garlic and iced water until smooth in a blender container.
Add 1 tablespoon of hibiscus flowers, 1 tablespoon chopped mint, 1 tablespoon chopped dill and 1 tablespoon chopped chives to the yogurt mixture and blend until smooth. Season with salt to taste. Refrigerate until chilled.
Place remaining pistachio nuts, cucumber, hibiscus flowers, mint, dill and chives in small bowls or ramekins and serve with the soup.

Chilled Dilled Cucumber Gazpacho

prep: 15 minutes (plus at least an hour chilling)

makes about 3 cups

you’ll need…
4 cucumbers (about 3 pounds), peeled, seeded and rough chopped
2 cups seedless green grapes (about 10 ounces)
2 garlic cloves
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt

let’s get to it…
Blend the cucumbers, grapes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, water and salt together until smooth. Taste the gazpacho and add more salt if necessary.
Chill for at least one hour.

Cooking Tip: Use a little dill sprig or chopped cucumbers to garnish the gazpacho. Toasted lemon panko crumbs also make a delicious topping!