Spicy Avocado Soup with Zesty Croutons Recipe

I’m still not entirely convinced that cold soups are my thing, but I’m never one to turn down good food.

When I spotted a similar recipe, I couldn’t resist trying it. Avocados are reasonably priced here right now, so I’ve been collecting every avocado recipe I can find.

Sometimes I forget that Mr. How Sweet isn’t an avocado fanatic. Instead of arguing when he criticizes my green favorites, I usually placate him with something meaty. He loves meat of any kind, and that tends to quiet his complaints.

Lately I’ve been buying avocados in multiples because they’re on sale — two or three at a time — and then I hide them in random places to ripen: the cupboard, the windowsill, even behind the bar. Inevitably, I forget about them and rediscover them too late, covered in mold. The same thing happens in our crisper drawer, but that’s a story for another time.

Back to cold soup: I ended up really enjoying this one. The flavor is slightly smoky and has a touch of sweetness from the caramelized onions.

I’m not a fan of extreme temperatures in food, so I didn’t serve this ice-cold. If you prefer it chilled, you can add ice like the original recipe suggests. I served mine as an appetizer because I wasn’t in the mood for a cold liquid as my main course — that’s a role I usually reserve for margaritas.

Spicy Avocado Soup

inspired by Epicurious

Serves 2

1 avocado

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup skim milk

2 tablespoons chopped, caramelized onions

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Pinch of cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Serve chilled or slightly cool, and top with hot sauce if desired.

Crunchy Croutons

2 slices whole wheat bread

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

Sprinkle of garlic powder, sea salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and toss with olive oil and seasonings. Bake for 10–15 minutes, flipping every few minutes, until crisp and golden.

I know a cold avocado soup might sound odd to some, but it’s genuinely delicious. Are you a fan of cold soups? Mr. How Sweet claims he isn’t, though I’ve seen him eat this — and I’ve also watched him enjoy foods he insists he dislikes, like ricotta and coconut. Go figure.