Yogurt Soup with Cucumbers and Walnuts (Tarator)

By • July 17, 2012 • 1 Comments


Author Notes: Lightly adapted from Anne Mendelson's Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Through the Ages.Nicholas

Serves 4-6

  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 2 slices of country bread (soak briefly in water and then wring out the water)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cups yogurt (whole)
  • 4 small Persian cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber, peeled and seeded)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 small bunch dill or mint
  1. Crush the garlic and salt to a pulp, using either a mortar and pestle or the side of a large knife. Reserve a few walnuts. Using a food processor (or a mortar and pestle, if you want), briefly pulse the rest of the walnuts and then the bread. Transfer to a bowl.
  2. Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil to the paste and then all the yogurt, whisking well. Add the lemon juice. Grate and add the cucumbers.
  3. Let cool in the fridge for an hour or more, if you have it, and then add enough very cold water to make it into a spoonable soup. Chop the reserved walnuts and use for a garnish, along with the dill or mint, some lemon wedges and the olive oil.

Comments (1) Questions (0)

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11 months ago aimeebama

I fixed this last night with almonds instead of walnuts, and while my husband really liked it (he's a mint fanatic), I found it lacking something in the umami family. A splash of fish sauce and some smoked paprika helped, but for me it felt more like starter territory versus main course in terms of sustenance if that makes sense.