More Chilling Out

Oh, it's hot here in Fallbrook. Like 100º or more and very humid which is unusual. We're used to dry heat. Not this wet, sweat producing, insufferable heat. You wouldn't want to turn on your oven or stove and actually cook something in this heat, would you? What you need are some great recipes you don't have to cook at all and would be nice and cool. Like these for instance:

Chilled Avocado Cucumber Soup, adapted from Everyday Food
from the blog framed-my life one picture at a time

• 1 English cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
• 2 avocados, pitted and peeled
• 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 minced small jalapeno chile (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, if desired)
• 1/3 cup sliced scallions
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 6 ounces cooked shrimp or crabmeat
• 1 chopped tomato

1. In a blender, combine half the cucumber and 1 avocado with the yogurt, lime juice, jalapeno, scallions, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1 cup ice water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Puree until completely smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Cut remaining avocado into 1/4-inch cubes. Stir avocado and remaining cucumber into soup. Thin with1/2 to 1 cup ice water, as desired. Season again with salt and pepper. Chill, about 1 hour.
3. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with shrimp or crabmeat and tomato.

Or how about these recipes from the Fallbrook Woman's Club Fabulous Avocado Recipes:

Avocado Lime Jello Salad

1 package Lime jello
1 cup celery, chopped fine
1 small package cream cheese
1 1/2 cups water
1 avocado, mashed
1/4 cup mayonnaise

Mix jello and water and chill. Mix avocado, cream cheese and mayo together before adding to chilled jello mixture. Add celery and stir gently to mix. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Here's another chilled soup that sounds delicious:

Chilled Avocado Soup

1 ripe avocado
2 cups chicken soup
salt and pepper
chopped fresh chives
1/2 cup cream
juice of 1/2 lemon
sour cream
paprika

Puree avocado flesh in food processor. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in the cream. Pour in chicken stock while mixing. Sprinkle in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill soup 1 hour. To serve, garnish portions with dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with chives and paprika. Serves 4.

Walnut Avocado Salad

1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
1/2 head romaine lettuce, shredded
1 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 avocado, diced and sprinkled with lemon juice
1/3 cup wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine lettuce, nuts and avocado in a bowl; chill thoroughly . Combine remaining ingredients in a jar; refrigerate. Toss with chilled vegetables just before serving.

Hope these recipes have inspired you to chill out and make some cool recipes without turning on your stove.