The following is a true story. It could happen to you.
I came across a recipe for cold cucumber soup that I just had to make. No heat was involved, just the use of my chef’s knife, a food processor and blender.
There are numerous such recipes out there in cloud-land. I used one from the New York Times, even though our president told me it was fake. He said it was fake because it wasn’t written in Russian.
The basic idea is that you peel and seed some large cucumbers and rough-chop them.
Mix them with plain, whole yogurt, a little olive oil, a bunch of fresh herbs that are hopefully on hand, a crushed clove of garlic, some chopped scallions or shallots and salt and pepper.
I gave it all a whirl — first in the food processor to do the heavy lifting, then in the blender for the smooth finish work.
The mixture chilled overnight.
I used soup bowls to serve it. Duh.
On top I sprinkled crumbled feta cheese, halved sugar snap peas and some shelled pistachios. A final drizzle of the good olive oil and it was a picture of perfection.
My wife said it was the best cold soup she’s ever had. Being humble, I agreed.
Here’s where the story turns dark.
Back into the fridge went the leftover soup, in a large, rectangular container about 5 by 10 by 3 inches.
The next day I made some pastrami salmon gravlax and placed the shallow dish on top of the soup container.
When I went to work on the salmon the following day, I pulled the dish out and, of course, the soup container came sliding out with it and before I knew it, the floor in front of the fridge was covered in about two quarts of cucumber soup. As was the whole bottom front door of the fridge.
Now I know how they came up with avocado green as a color for appliances back in the ’70s.
At least my dog was happy as he lapped up that delicious soup.
My wife gave me a hand sopping up the mess while casually mentioning that I had too many things crammed in the fridge to begin with.
I said, “Yes, dear.”
Then I went back to work on the pastrami salmon gravlax.
And I just realized I now have plenty of room in the fridge so I can make the soup again. That’s called the power of positive thinking.
— LOU
I agree with your spouse. Your fridge is crammed. I have seen it. But look on the bright side your fridge probably got a good cleaning, and your floor, too, thanks to your dog.
— LUCY