Recipe by Alexandra Zohn

Lemongrass and Ginger-Scented Chilled Watermelon Soup

Print
Parve Parve
Easy Easy
4 Servings
Allergens

Contains

- Gluten - Wheat

Borrowing some Southeast Asian flavors, this soup is interesting, unique, a bit daring and very easy to like (and make).

Ingredients

Soup

  • 4 slices (2 ounces) white bread, crusts removed (see note)

  • 6 cups (2 and 1/2 pounds) seedless watermelon, cubed

  • 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled

  • 1 serrano chile, stemmed (optional)

  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (NOT seasoned), or to taste

  • 2 teaspoons sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish

  • 1 (1-and-1/2-inch long) piece of fresh ginger, peeled

  • 4 stalks lemongrass (about 6 inches long), first layer removed

  • 1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro, for garnish

Directions

1.

Soak bread in a bowl with about 1/2 cup cold water for one minute. Squeeze bread tightly to remove excess water and place wet bread (it will look like a piece of dough) in a blender. Discard soaking liquid.

2.

Add watermelon, garlic, chile (if using), vinegar, salt, and sugar into the blender with the bread. Puree until smooth.

3.

Drizzle oil into the watermelon mix and blend again until completely liquefied. You can work in two batches if the mix doesn’t fit at once in the blender.

4.

Pour soup into a large glass bowl or pitcher.

5.

With a rolling pin or the back of a saucepan, pound the ginger and lemongrass to release their flavors, but DO NOT break them into pieces.

6.

Place pounded ginger and lemongrass into the container with the soup. Cover and refrigerate overnight, to let all the flavors develop.

7.

Before serving, force soup through a sieve into a bowl or pitcher, pressing firmly on solids. Discard solids.

8.

Check for seasoning. If it needs them, add more salt and/or vinegar and serve in individual soup bowls.

9.

Top with cilantro leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.

10.

Serve soup chilled. Soup can be kept covered in refrigerator for two days.

Notes:

-You can use leftover challah instead of the bread slices, just remove the crust.

-If gluten is an issue, bread can be substituted for 1/3 cup boiled potatoes, peeled.
Lemongrass and Ginger-Scented Chilled Watermelon Soup

Please log in to rate

Reviews

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments