Chilled Persian Yogurt Soup

(3,300)

"Ask anyone on my staff their favorite summer dish, and they'll tell you it's this one," said Iranian chef Hoss Zaré when he helmed Zaré at Fly Trap in San Francisco. Filled with herbs, nuts, and raisins, the soup is delicious with grilled bread.

Chilled Persian Yogurt Soup. Photo © David Malosh
Photo: © David Malosh
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup walnuts

  • 1/4 cup dried rose petals, crushed (optional, see Note)

  • 2 cups 2% plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 1/2 cups ice water

  • 1/2 cup golden raisins

  • 1/2 seedless cucumber, peeled and finely diced (1 cup)

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped mint

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped dill

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped chives

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

  • Ground sumac, for garnish (optional, see Note)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the walnuts in a pie plate and toast for about 10 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop.

  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, cover the rose petals with cold water and let stand until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain the petals and squeeze dry.

  3. In a large bowl, whisk the yogurt with the ice water. Stir in the raisins, cucumber, mint, dill, chives, walnuts and rose petals and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until very cold, about 1 hour. Serve the soup in shallow bowls, sprinkled with sumac.

Notes

Find dried rose petals at specialty food stores or kalustyans.com.

Find sumac at specialty food stores or kalustyans.com.

Originally appeared: June 2011

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