When the temperature soars, the last thing you want to do is turn on the stove or oven. I get it! This chilled cherry soup recipe is the perfect solution. It’s so easy to prepare. Just whir the ingredients in a food processor or blender and dinner is ready!
This particular soup graces our table several times during cherry season. Even though it’s a chilled fruit based dish, it has a rich quality to it. Or perhaps it just seems that way due to the opulent deep pink color.
Ingredients
1/2 cup almonds
1 cup fresh pitted cherries
1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons raspberry vinegar
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
Good quality extra virgin olive oil (optional)
Preparation
In a food processor, pulse the almonds until finely ground. Add all remaining ingredients to the food processor. Process until pureed. I find this makes a nice thick soup, but should you prefer a lighter consistency, add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup ice water. Chill and serve the cherry soup ice cold. Drizzle with quality extra virgin olive oil for extra richness if desired. This makes about 4 appetizer portions, or two entrée sized portions.
Optional: serve each bowl of chilled cherry soup with a crostini topped with goat cheese.
Cherry Soup Wine Pairing
It’s always a little tricky pairing a fruit dish with wine. The natural sweetness from the cherries can make some wines come across as a little bitter, even if they’re not. To avoid that, we look for a fruit forward rosé for this cherry soup recipe. I know you might be afraid of “sweet” wines, but the wines considered slightly sweet (aka off-dry) make a great match. Sparkling rosé is worth considering too. It’s not just for special occasions!
One wine we particularly enjoy with this soup is the Davenport Cellars Rosé of Sangiovese. This semi-dry wine (that means during fermentation just a teensy bit of sugar – also known in wine speak as residual sugar or RS – was left behind) comes from Washington State and is a beautiful magenta color brimming with fruity raspberry flavors. The fruit is sourced from the acclaimed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA, making it an incredible value at $18 a bottle. Go ahead. Drink pink.