In my last post, I shared the news that my good friends Hristo and Emiliya from Sofia in Bulgaria had come to visit. Years ago, Hristo stayed with us for a few months when we lived in Victoria and we’ve remained close ever since. One night Hristo walked me through a couple of Bulgarian recipes.
“You must make tarator soup,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a cold yoghurt soup with cucumber, garlic and dill,” he said.
“Is that a tzatziki soup?” I asked just trying to be funny.
Well, it turns out that’s exactly what it is and it’s a traditional Bulgarian dish that every Bulgarian eats. Think of it in the same way a Spaniard would think of gazpacho. That’s what I’m told anyway.
The colder it is, the better it tastes. When I had some the next day, Hristo was right. The flavors had time to meld together and it was even more delicious on day two. It’s often served in appetizer sized portions.
- 2-3 Lebanese cucumbers, washed and finely diced
- 2 cups plain yoghurt
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil
- Water
- In a medium sized bowl, add all ingredients except water and mix well.
- Slowly whisk in cold water until the soup reaches a consistency you enjoy.
- Chill and serve.
You really should try this soup. John and I both thought it was delicious. Next up is a lovely salad.
Hristo and Emiliya headed to the Great Barrier Reef and then on to Darwin. I certainly have travel envy.
I love tarator but have never had it in soup! Thanks for sharing the recipe! 😀
I love old traditional ethnic recipes like this. To me, they are like finding a new treasure. It sounds like your friends are treasures as well!
I saw this on facebook the other day and was wondering how to make it! I love, love, love anything with cucumbers! And I love any soup that is this easy…
Loved tarator in Bulgaria. Will definitely have to bookmark this recipe for the upcoming summer months 😀
I love Tzatziki! So does my husband. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks Maureen!
This is so easy and healthy, thanks for sharing. No idea what the size of a Lebanese cucumber is, suppose I Google the answer, could you give approximate volume or weight?
We have Persian (same as Lebanese) Cucumbers in Southern California. They’re approx 1/2 – 2/3 the length, & 1/2 – 2/3 the diameter of an English cucumber. Persian cuc seeds are more compact so, when salted, they sweat less than an English cuc. Persian cucs have a nice crunch. The best fresh cucs are firm, NOT soft or shriveled.
Hope ypu had great time with your Bulgarian friends Maureen! Love the tarator you made! Looks perfect! Now I need to make some! So glad you like it and thanks for sharing Bulgarian dishes on your wonderful blog!
Tzatziki soup 🙂 That’s brilliant!!! Loved this post, Maureen!
YUM YUM You have the best friends!
Maureen, we have a Russian soup that is very similar to this 🙂 I’m one of those weirdos that hot soups must be hot and that’s that…nonetheless unlike me, I am sure my non-weird family will love this!
Ever since you mentioned it on FB, I was waiting to see the full disclosure… seems pretty delicious to me, refreshing and light…
I just wish we were headed to Spring instead of Fall… (sigh)
Tzatziki soup? Wow that sounds like a dream Maureen!
I love learning about traditional dishes from other countries – and I cannot but marvel at how similar this is to Indian Raita (though Raita is more a palette cleanser than an appetizer) Love the walnuts in it!
I’ve known of this for years but never tried it. It sounded odd! BUT! I trust your taste. 🙂 I will give it a go this summer!!
Yep, delicious – haven’t had it for years – but will tuck this away for when it gets a bit warmer.
I’m sure I would have called this tzatziki soup as well! This would be perfect on a hot summer day!
It sounds and looks wonderful! How refreshing. Love learning new things and recipes – thanks Maureen!
How lovely to have had your dear friends visit you… I’ve heard of this soup, Maureen, but not tried it. Methinks it would be wonderful on a summer’s day! xxx
I’ve never had tarator in soup either. Looks absolutely wonderful. I can almost taste it.
I ate so much of this in Poland over the summer – it’s refreshing and very light isn’t it.
This looks so appetizing. We have an abundance of cucumbers in the garden so this recipe is definitely one I am going to try! Thanks Maureen.
This looks delicious and oh so easy.I really want to try this soon.Love your posts.
Maureen, this soup looks so refreshing! Can’t wait to make it. Thanks!
I hope you like it as much as we did!
What an amazing looking soup, love that it has walnuts in it too!
This sounds like a lovely soup. Can’t wait to try it though I will probably wait until next year. Though it has been awfully warm around here!
this looks delicious, and has to be one of my favourite summer soups 🙂
This sounds delicious. I’m often wary of chilled soup but live it when I actually have it. GG
Gorgeous! I often grow so many cucumbers that they overrun the garden, I’ll definitely be making this thanks!
Maureen, it sounds wonderful. This will be the first Bulgarian dish I ever make!
What a lovely looking cold soup, it sounds so fresh and tasty I am bookmarking this for when the sun comes back 😀
So curious to know what this soup tastes like. In any event though – it looks VERY delicious.
I can just imagine how refreshing this soup would be during a heatwave. And I sure wish we were having a heatwave – not only so I could make this soup but so I could thaw out. It’s freezing here in Sydney – about 10C and blowing a gale and rain as well. I’m so ready for the heat xx
It was cold last night but today is breezy and warm. 🙂
It’s great meet your friend in internet ! Great meeting and fantastic recipe!
I love tzatziki, so I am sure I am going to love this soup!!! I often eat any left over tzatziki with a spoon, so I am half way there 😉
With the weather warming up this is just perfect for lunch in the garden with a girl friend…..maybe with a sneaky glass of wine!
See me applauding, Maureen? Looks like the Bulgarian soup is indeed a marriage of flavors and ingredients from around the world. Love posts which remind me “I’ts a Small World After All,” My homework: Google Lebanese cucumbers =) P.s. Hope you are feeling better <3
Hiya Maureen, I am hoping your having a lovely visit and please extend my thanks for sharing a beautiful recipe with you. It sounds so cool and refreshing and in 15 minutes that is my kind of recipe… I hope you are feeling a little better and balancing/managing your pain better. think of you often. Take Care, BAM
I have never tried this soup, by my friend from Bulgaria was just telling me about it, how funny is that ? Now I have to try it , i love soups!
Like Helen above, I loved this when we were in Bulgaria. It’s perfect for a summer lunch. Thanks for reminding me of it, Maureen!
I was just thinking about you this morning and wondering if you were still suffering from vertigo since I hadn’t seen a post from you. Then I was just looking in my junk mail and saw this post. So glad you’re feeling better.
I love cucumber soup and this sounds and looks very refreshing!
What a wonderful recipe Maureen. This is one my Greek household will love – I’ll definitely be giving this a try on a warm day!! xx
This looks so refreshing, Maureen! The only cold soup I’ve ever tasted is Gazpacho, but I love tzatziki so these flavors are right up my alley. Yum! Thank you for sharing.
A cold cucumber soup that isn’t pureed. I love it!
I loved that there was crunch in every bite.
we used to make this years ago in the summer. very delish. we were always told it was a greek dish. our housemate was greek and she used to make it. i guess lots of people claim it!:)
I love, love tzatziki, so I’d love this! CAn’t wait to try it -making it this week end.