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    Home » Recipes » Soup and stew

    Published: Jul 26, 2016 · Modified: Oct 28, 2020 by kseniaprints · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · 20 Comments

    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir, cucumbers, dill, walnuts and feta

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    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersWe are sitting at a long table with a glass surface and rickety metal legs, mismatched place mats marking our eating, denoting a hierarchy long forgotten and never fully acknowledged. My dad is pouring out the wine, a young gewürztraminer meant to please everyone’s palettes, which begins to bead into condensation the moment it hits the glass. My grandmother is bickering with her sister, a woman whose large personality is barely matched by her girth, over whose cold fish with peppers recipe is better. And to the din of argument and clinking glasses, exasperated sighs and quiet laughter, my mother brings out the piece de resistance – a tray overladen with bowls of cold Bulgarian soup, the only cure for overheated spirits on a blistering summer’s day.

    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersCold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers

    In truth, cold Bulgarian soups never came ready in bowls. It’s a dish that invites customization, encouraging each person to experiment with flavours and toppings and build the soup of their dreams. It’s a dish that tells you to throw conventions – that soup must be hot, that soup requires time to sit and meld flavours, that soup is a dish made for winter comfort – to the wind, introducing you to a new world instead.

    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersDB1A2002Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersCold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersCold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersCold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersDB1A1966Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersCold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers

    Cold Bulgarian soup works like this:

    • You take an empty bowl.
    • You fill half your bowl with finely cubed cucumbers, chopped purple onions and a smattering of finely minced garlic.
    • You slowly pour in cold kefir, letting it fill your bowl ¾ of the way to brim.
    • To gild the lily and take cold Bulgarian soup to the next level, you top your bowl with any combination of the following ingredients:
      • Fresh dill
      • Thinly sliced radishes
      • Scallions
      • Walnuts
      • Feta (preferably, Bulgarian)
      • Sea salt
      • Freshly ground black or white pepper
    • You add some cold ice cubes to boot.
    • You grab a large silver spoon, and go to town.

    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersCold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers

    Growing up, cold Bulgarian soup was a must in our family on summer days, eaten al fresco amidst raised voices and chirping birds. It’s a dish meant to calm the spirits, bring some coolness to your body, and liven up your soul. But above all else, cold Bulgarian soup is a dish that is best shared with other people, eaten in camaraderie around a long table with a glass surface and rickety metal legs.

    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbersDB1A1955

    The bowl used in this photoshoot is a unique piece handmade by Montreal-based Orlin Stoyanov (who also happens to be Bulgarian!). To learn more of Orlin’s work, to pick up some of his pieces or to inquire about ceramic classes in Montreal, check out his Facebook profile or WordPress blog. I received no monetary compensation for using his work in my post –  I am proud to support local producers and brands whose products I truly love.

    To stay on top of what I’m eating and cooking these days, follow At the Immigrant’s Table on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Twitter, subscribe to my mailing list, or contact me about advertising and becoming a sponsor. If you make one of my recipes, don’t forget to tag it #immigrantstable @immigrantstable!

    DB1A1936Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers

    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir and cucumbers

    Cold Bulgarian soup with kefir, cucumbers, dill, walnuts and feta

    This cold Bulgarian soup is a god-send on a hot summer's day. A perfectly balanced, sharp and creamy mix of kefir, cucumbers, dill, walnuts and feta.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Bulgarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Author: Ksenia Prints

    Ingredients

    • 4 garlic cloves peeled and minced
    • 4 Persian cucumbers diced finely
    • ¼ purple onion diced finely
    • ½ cup shelled walnuts finely chopped
    • 3 cups kefir or 2 cups Greek yogurt diluted with ice-cold water
    • 1 TB walnut or extra virgin olive oil

    Toppings (choose any or all of the following):

    • 4 radishes sliced finely
    • 1 bunch dill chopped finely
    • 2 scallions sliced into rings
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • ¼ cup feta or Bulgarian cheese
    • Ice cubes
    • Salt to taste
    • Freshly ground pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Serve bowls with 1 ½ finely chopped cucumbers, purple onion and garlic divided between them.
    • Top with kefir, or diluted Greek yogurt, until bowl is ¾ full.
    • Top with the garnishes of your choice and ice cubes, and season with salt and pepper.
    • Serve immediately

     

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    Comments

    1. AILUY says

      July 26, 2016 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this soup. I make it very often in the summer, varying the yogurts and the herbs. Although I never tried it with feta. Thanks for the ideas and the gorgeous pictures. Would you mind sharing the 'cold fish with peppers' recipe of either/both the ladies? Thank you again

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        July 29, 2016 at 7:31 am

        Excellent suggestion! It is great with chives and some fresh mint, even.

        Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        July 29, 2016 at 7:35 am

        Also, I fully intend to share at least one of those recipes 😉

        Reply
    2. Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says

      July 26, 2016 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous soup- in gorgeous bowls!!

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        July 29, 2016 at 7:32 am

        Thanks girl! I wish I could claim credit for the bowls 😉

        Reply
    3. Dina says

      July 27, 2016 at 9:47 am

      Ksenia, a just in time recipe, I have been thinking of cold soups. I know we are both from Israel but did I mention that my family on my father's side also comes from Bulgaria? Interesting coincidence. Loved your writing, well done, very enticing.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        July 29, 2016 at 7:37 am

        What a strange coincidence indeed! I am not Bulgarian, but through the Soviet bloc, this soup has actually made its way into the repertoire of popular Russian food - and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

        Reply
      • Jess says

        December 19, 2020 at 5:01 pm

        I am from Bulgaria and honestly this soup is someone’s new take. It just simple and nourishing. 14 ingredients? Soup called tarator isn’t made with diluted plain yoghurt, diced cucumbers, garlic, salt drizzle of oil , dill and if you have some chopped walnuts on the top.

        Reply
        • kseniaprints says

          December 19, 2020 at 5:26 pm

          Hi Jess! I totally agree, that’s exactly how my family eats Tarator most of the time 🙂 But I wanted to give people other options that my family loves, like feta, radishes, dill and onions. In our house, any version people want to make is totally fine!

          Reply
    4. Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says

      August 07, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      This soup looks absolutely delicious! Gorgeous photos!

      Reply
    5. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says

      August 07, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful fresh soup, perfect for Summer. Love the freshness of it

      Reply
    6. Igor @ Cooking The Globe says

      August 07, 2016 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, I love cold soups but I have never tried this Bulgarian one! I am surely making this because there is no chance I won't like it. Thanks, Ksenia!

      Reply
    7. Lisa | Garlic + Zest says

      August 07, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      Your photos are gorgeous and I love the unusual blend of flavors in this cold soup! I've just been dipping my toe in the cold soup genre and I'm loving it. This looks delicious!

      Reply
    8. Molly Kumar says

      August 07, 2016 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful looking cold soup. I absolutely love the combination. Bookmarking to try later.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 24, 2016 at 12:06 pm

        It's easily scale-able and customisable. A true favourite - I think you'll love it once you try it!

        Reply
    9. maria says

      August 07, 2016 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my! This soup looks amazing! Absolutely love the bowl. Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 24, 2016 at 12:06 pm

        That bowl is a dream <3

        Reply
    10. Linda C Tosenstein says

      November 16, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      So delicious & fresh the Bulgarian Cold Soup lols! I am eager to make some!

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        November 22, 2021 at 3:36 pm

        That's great that you like it! Let me know if you make it

        Reply
    11. Linda Rosenstein says

      November 16, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      I made some typos!
      Last name - Rosenstein
      *how the Bulgarian Cold Soup LOOKS! Not lols!

      Reply

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