As temperatures climb this summer it’s time to think about flavorful dishes and treats that delight our taste buds, cool us down and are quick and easy2make!

Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen sweating over a hot stove? I for sure don’t! Instead, I enjoy making lots of healthy salads and cold soups with endless combinations of fresh seasonal ingredients which I try to whip up in a matter of minutes!

Here is a recipe for a spicy watermelon soup that I really like:

Ingredients

1.2 kg peeled and seeded watermelon (about 3.5 kg fresh Watermelon)
¼ medium onion
1 garlic clove
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
2 tblsp fresh mint or spearmint
1 – 2 tblsp spicy/sweet chili sauce*
Coarse ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish: Watermelon slices and fresh mint or finely diced peeled cucumber or finely diced bell peppers and croutons

Preparation Method

Cut watermelon into wedges, peel and remove all seeds. Once this is done, in batches, place watermelon in blender and puree until smooth.

With one of the batches, puree watermelon with onion, garlic lemon juice, lime juice and spearmint and stir carefully with other already pureed watermelon.

Add spicy chili sauce to taste, and place in a sealed container. Refrigerate until very cold.

Serve in glasses with desired garnish . . . . and if you like on ice!

Yield: 6 – 8 persons

Tips!

The smoothness of soup will depend on your taste. If you like a soup that is a bit chunkier, then just puree the watermelon a bit less or add some chopped watermelon pieces to the soup.

*Buy ready-made Thai sauce or use a little Tabasco sauce + honey, to taste

If you prefer a sweeter version, just make the soup with the spearmint, lemon and lime and if needed, sweeten it with a bit of honey or stevia.

Enjoy!