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Cold Curried Pea and Buttermilk Soup

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Cold Curried Pea and Buttermilk SoupDitte Isager

The buttermilk in this soup gives it a light, tangy richness that harmonizes with the sweetness of the peas and the gentle bite of the curry. Though it looks lovely in a bowl, serve this soup in drinking glasses, to be sipped rather than spooned, for a nice change of pace.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    2 3/4 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

4

large shallots, chopped

2

tablespoons unsalted butter

1

tablespoon olive oil

2

teaspoons curry powder (preferably Madras)

3

cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

2

cups water

2

(10-ounce) packages frozen peas

1

(3/4-pound) bunch spinach, stems discarded (about 8 cups packed leaves)

1

cup well-shaken buttermilk

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook shallots in butter and oil in a heavy medium pot over medium heat, stirring, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add curry powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add broth and water and bring to a simmer, then stir in peas and spinach and return to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender, about 6 minutes.

    Step 2

    Immediately purée soup in 4 batches in a blender until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Transfer to a bowl and stir in buttermilk. Quick-chill (to preserve color) by setting bowl in an ice bath and stirring until cool, then refrigerate until very cold, 1 to 2 hours. Season with salt.