We are starting the third week of BM#64. The theme for this week was to pick one European cuisine and make three different courses from the same. I picked up Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a Balkan nation and its cuisine has Greek, Slavic, Ottoman, and Persian influences. While I remember reading about this country during childhood. Especially in some of the Tintin books, the portrayal of Syldavians appears to have a similarity to Bulgarian, their food habits, etc.
Apart from this remote memory, I have no idea about the cuisine. So I took a virtual tour, my prerequisite was, of course, vegetarian options in their baked dishes as I wanted to bake something. Surprisingly their Tarator impressed me much and I felt I could easily make it.
The fact was until I actually read the recipe from Sharemyrecipes site, again to make it, I didn't realize how simple this recipe was. Tarator is a traditional Bulgarian soup. Even while reading it on various sites didn't strike me. It's not exactly a soup but a no-cook refreshing summer dish.
Because you add garlic it's also sharp. According to the writer, to Bulgarians Tarator is what Gazpacho is to Spanish or Vichyssoise is to French – a superb summer first course that refreshes while it stimulates the palate. It’s easy and fast to make, while healthy and very low calorie.
Tarator
Ingredients Needed:
Cucumbers, peeled and finely chopped - 1 Cup
Garlic pressed - 1 clove
Curds/ Yoghurt - 4 cups
Water - 1 cup
Fresh dill, finely chopped - 1/2 bunch
Crushed walnuts - 3 tablespoons of
Oil / Olive oil) - 2 tsp
How to make Tarator
Prep the cucumber, peel and finely chop, press the garlic, crush the walnuts and chop the herb.
Once you are ready, it's time to assemble. In a large bowl, dilute the curds, add all the ingredients. Add salt to taste and combine everything well. Store in the fridge to cool for half an hour.
Serving Suggestions:
The writer says we can serve the Tarator in soup bowls or we can serve Tarator in large glasses “on the rocks”, which will be a very refreshing and appetizing way to start a meal on a hot summer’s day.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM
Varadas Kitchen says
A very refreshing cold soup to beat the summer heat. We loved it when I tried this recipe.
Ritu Tangri says
No doubts it must be very refreshing...
Gayathri Kumar says
This is the perfect drink for the scorching heat..
vaishali sabnani says
Interesting soup with amazing ingredients . Sounds soothing .
Usha says
An interesting cold soup and a refreshing summer drink.
Priya Suresh says
Excellent summer friendly soup, very easy and interesting.
Pavani N says
Bulgarian cuisine is new to me and this cucumber soup sounds very refreshing and delicious.
Archana Potdar says
Loved it Valli. Its yumlicious
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This cold soup is so perfect for the summer meals. Love the recipe.
Harini-Jaya R says
This cold soup is perfect for the hot summer days.