I love all the little toppings on top of a soup. I like using a variety of garnishes to let you know what’s in a particular soup. Today I’m making a cold Honeydew Melon And Cucumber Soup. I’m displaying a variety of garnishes just to give you a few ideas and would be really delicious to pair with this soup. You could use all or any combination of these toppings you like.

I think cold soups are underrated and not used nearly enough. They are really refreshing, and super healthy too!  You can use this as an appetizer, served in shot glasses, or as a first course.

I’m using fresh mint from my garden for this recipe.

First, I want to set aside the ingredients that will give my soup lots of texture and can also be used as toppings or garnish. I’m going to need thinly sliced cucumbers, using a food Mandolin is the perfect tool for the job. I have some other goodies up my sleeve too!

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yields: 4 servings
Equipment: 1 (10-cup) food processor or a blender, Mandolin, melon baller, chef’s knife

Ingredients:
1 to 2 honeydew melons (8 cups), not overripe, large dice, honeydew melon, plus 1 heaping cup of melon balls for garnish
1 English (hothouse) cucumber, 3/4 peeled and seeded and diced small, reserve 1/2 cup for garnish, plus 12 very thin slices, skin-on (using food Mandolin) reserved for garnish
1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves plus 4 small sprigs for garnish
12 slices of crispy Pancetta, optional garnish
4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt (keep refrigerated until ready to serve)
1/2 cup of pistachios, optional garnish
2 tablespoons of Agave nectar
1/4 cup of water
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, optional garnish
1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Directions:
First, is to get all the ingredients you’ll be using for the garnish and toppings prepared. The pistachios, diced and sliced cucumber, melon balls, and Pancetta.

Directions For The Pancetta:
Preheat oven to 450-degrees F.
Place the pancetta slices, evenly spread out, onto a rimmed baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes and let cool. Transfer a plate lined with a paper towel,. Set aside.

In a food processor, add mint, lime juice, diced melon, diced cucumber, Agave nectar, water, cayenne pepper, Kosher salt. Pulse all the ingredients together, until smooth. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

To serve, equally, divide the soup between 4 bowls. To each of the bowls, add 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt, a few small diced cucumber, and 3 melon balls. Finally, garnish with cucumber slices and a sprig of mint. Crispy pancetta and pistachios are optional. The sweet and salty flavor combination, delicious!!!

There you have it, my Honeydew Melon And Cucumber Soup.

https://lindalouhamel.com/2019/07/10/summer-time-flowers-and-herbs/