COOL SUMMER KICK-OFF

Feeling the heat? This year, summer seems to have arrived extra early, after having a very mild winter and a warmer than average spring. With the heat comes the need for cool summer foods. We often gravitate toward cool and refreshing foods like homemade ice cream, cucumbers, and watermelon. One great thing about this time of year is the beautiful selection of fruit; eat it “as is” or blend it into a refreshing smoothy or cool summer soup.

Today, I want to share my recipe (concocted from a combination of three or four other recipes) for Fresh Strawberry Soup. I hope you will take time to make and enJOY it with your family and friends, as you celebrate the upcoming summer holidays.

Strawberry Soup – Refreshing and Packed with Antioxidants

The summer berry season provides delicious and refreshing fruit, and sweet strawberries are at the top of the list because they taste soooo good! But equally as important, they are loaded with skin protecting antioxidant properties. My recipe uses fresh fruit and a minimal amount of sugar (adjust more or less, as you wish) which allows the strawberry's natural taste to shine like a bowl full of summer.

This is a quick and delicious summer soup that is easy to make and can be served at the beginning of meal, along with a sandwich, or as a dessert. (In other words, it's great anytime you get a craving! :-) Now you can take your antioxidant meds with a smile, as you enJOY the taste, presentation, and wellness all in a single, gorgeous dish. (This soup is as pretty as it is tasty!)

Let's get started by gathering our ingredients:

Wash, cap, and slice strawberries. 

Blend until smooth in a blender or food processor.

Add vanilla yogurt

and sour cream.

Blend until smooth.

Add orange juice, vanilla, powdered sugar, and grenadine.

 Slowly blend, then increase speed until smooth. 

Add whipping cream (or half -n- half). Blend until well mixed in.

Turn off blender and use a spatula to stir and transfer

to a medium-sized storage bowl that you can cover. 

Chill for a couple of hours before serving. To serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a dollop of whipped topping (f desired). Garnish with a sliced strawberry or fresh mint.

Serves four to six, depending on bowl sizes.

Now, wasn't that the easiest recipe ever? And, it's equally as delicious as it is easy. Hope you'll try it soon and come back with your comments on how yours turned out.

Don't forget to print the recipe (below) or paste it to your "keepers" in your cooking files.

Stay cool and enJOY this wonderful time of year!

BLESSINGS to you and yours!

Pat's Fresh Strawberry Soup

16 oz. fresh strawberries
1 cup vanilla yogurt

1 cup sour cream
4 Tbsp. orange juice
1 pint whipping cream (or half-n-half)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

5 to 10 Tbsp. powdered sugar (more or less, depending on how sweet you want yours)

2 Tbsp. grenadine syrup

Wash, cap, and slice strawberries. Blend until smooth in a blender or food processor. Add vanilla yogurt and sour cream. Blend until smooth. Add orange juice, vanilla, powdered sugar, and grenadine. Slowly blend, then increase speed until smooth. Add whipping cream (or half -n- half). Blend until well mixed in. Turn off blender and use a spatula to stir and transfer to a medium sized storage bowl that you can cover. Chill for a couple of hours before serving. To serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a dollop of whipped topping. Garnish with a sliced strawberry or fresh mint, if desired. Serves four to six, depending on bowl sizes.