Summer soup and cold cream recipes, Yummy!

Summer begins and with it comes the heat and high temperatures, which is why our palate craves fresher and lighter dishes. And is there anything better than recipes for cold soups and creams? Gazpacho, melon soup, or vichyssoise are some of the dishes we crave most in summer.

In this post, we will show you their benefits and how to prepare them quickly and easily.

Why is it necessary to consume more recipes for cold soups and creams in summer?

It's clear that during this time of the year, we need to hydrate frequently to help our bodies combat high temperatures and the issues specific to this season, such as dehydration and heat strokes.

Therefore, our diet should include a lot of fluid intake, primarily water, among others, and alternating with foods and dishes with high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. Cold soups and creams meet these requirements and are a very appealing and summery option.

Chilled Melon Soup with Ham

One of the most appealing and classic summer recipes is chilled melon soup with ham. You'll have it ready in just 10 minutes, and it's absolutely delicious. It's a light, refreshing, and tasty option with an irresistible touch of sweetness.

This is a very typical dish in our summer Mediterranean diet. At Enrique Tomás, we'll show you how to prepare this recipe at home, easily and quickly. An ideal first course for lunch or even dinner.

Melon is a fruit with a high water content, making it perfect for staying hydrated on hot days. Additionally, it contains many nutrients and few calories. Its flavor is particularly sweet, which is why when combined with ham and its salty, savory character, these two elements become the perfect pairing.

Discover how to prepare this chilled melon soup step by step.

Chilled melon soup with ham

Ingredients for melon soup

Traditional Vichyssoise Recipe

The hardest thing about this recipe is its name because it's very easy to prepare and absolutely delicious when served cold.

How to cook it? Clean the leeks well. Remove the outermost layer and use the rest. For the recipe, use the whitest part of the leek and slice it up to the green part. Then, wash and peel the potatoes and cut them into pieces.

Sauté the leek in butter over very low heat so that it doesn't take on any color. When it's very soft, add the potatoes and chicken broth. Increase the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Then, blend everything and once it's cooled slightly, add the liquid cream.

To finish, strain the liquid through a sieve to remove any leek skin residue. If you want to enjoy it cold, you can refrigerate it and take it out when it's to your liking. And then, you just have to enjoy it!

Vichyssoise I

Salmorejo

Salmorejo is one of the most typical dishes of summer. It's refreshing, cool, and light, and it provides us with many nutrients thanks to its high content of vegetables and greens used as a base for preparing this dish.

It's one of the most delicious and ideal spoon dishes to withstand the heat in this season. It originates from Andalusia, specifically from the Cordovan lands, and is usually served alone or accompanied by an ingredient that complements it and adds uniqueness.

In this case, we have chosen Iberian ham slices from Enrique Tomás to accompany it. This ingredient provides consistency to the flavor and adds a salty touch, making the combination exceptionally flavorful.

This Mediterranean delight can be enjoyed as an appetizer for meals or at any time of day as a cold and refreshing snack. It's easy and quick to prepare. You need garlic, tomato, sliced Iberian ham, and a "blender." In just a few minutes, your salmorejo will be ready.

Below, we'll explain how to make it step by step:

Prepare the traditional Spanish salmorejo

Salmorejo with ham

What's the difference between traditional salmorejo and gazpacho?

In general, both gazpacho and salmorejo have a lot in common, as they are cold dishes using shared ingredients such as stale bread, tomato, olive oil, garlic, or vinegar. Nevertheless, there are ingredients that differentiate them.

In gazpacho, cucumber and bell peppers are usually added, while salmorejo is based on tomatoes and incorporates bread, garlic, oil, and vinegar. Additionally, the latter is usually thicker due to the larger amount of bread used. However, everyone can prepare them according to their own taste.

Salmorejo with ham

Cantaloupe Melon Gazpacho

If you're a fan of gazpacho and the classic dish of melon with ham, this recipe will win you over!

An original type of gazpacho with quick and simple preparation. You'll only need a blender, a melon, cucumber, red onion, and a slice of Iberian Ham. In just 10 minutes, it will be ready! Choose the type of ham you like and start cutting the fruits and vegetables.

The distinctive touch of this recipe is the cantaloupe melon. This type of melon is ideal for summer due to its high water content. It helps prevent dehydration and combat heat. Furthermore, it contains a large amount of antioxidants, and its slightly sweet and refreshing flavor makes it a perfect fruit to add to any recipe or enjoy as dessert.

Learn how to prepare cantaloupe melon gazpacho.

Cantaloupe Melon Gazpacho with Ham

Dietary Tips for Coping with the Heat

Let's finish with a few tips to help you handle the heat during this time of year:

Remember to drink more than two liters of fluids per day, and you don't always have to wait until you're thirsty because sometimes, even if we don't feel the need to drink, our bodies do. In the case of children and the elderly, adding fluids to the diet is even more necessary.
If water alone feels heavy to you, try low-sugar or sugar-free juices, cold or hot infusions, smoothies, broths, etc. You'll still achieve the necessary fluid intake for your body.
Foods rich in water, such as fruits or certain vegetables: pineapple, watermelon, melon, tomato, orange, grapefruit, asparagus, cucumber, etc.
Limit alcohol consumption because alcohol has a dehydrating effect. You can enjoy non-alcoholic beer and dilute sangria and "tinto de verano" with plenty of ice. In any case, don't substitute water, juices, and soft drinks with these types of beverages, even if their flavor is more appealing.
When engaging in any strenuous physical activity, you should drink even more water and fluids to compensate for the loss.