Cacik (Cold Yogurt and Cucumber Soup)

The idea behind this traditional Turkish soup is improbably simple: Whisk yogurt together with grated cucumber and herbs. It’s far more delicious than you’d think it would be, but we also love it because it’s most easily made without any heat, gas or electricity. Use a whisk rather than a blender, and hand grate a cucumber: It’s a soup for luddites.

The recipe is very basic, but you could also jazz it up by adding grated garlic, or a little finely chopped serrano chile or jalapeño.

Note: You can substitute Greek yogurt for the regular yogurt; if you do, use only 1 3/4 cups / 400 grams, and whisk in 1/2 cup of ice water in Step 2.

Makes 2 - 3 servings.

Ingredients

2 cups (473 ml) plain yogurt

1 medium English cucumber, peeled, halved vertically and seeded

2 teaspoons white wine vinegar