Spiced Blueberry Soup

From EatingWell: August/September 2006 — Subscribe Now!

Delightful and refreshing, this chilled soup works as an appetizer, dessert or snack. If using frozen blueberries, cover the pan in Step 1 to bring the cold blueberry mixture to a boil more quickly.

8 servings, about 1/2 cup each

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

4 cups fresh or frozen (not thawed) blueberries, plus more for garnish
2 cups water
1 whole cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons honey, or more to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
2 cardamom pods, (optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup low-fat milk
1 cup 4 teaspoons reduced-fat sour cream, divided

Preparation

Combine blueberries, water, cinnamon stick, honey, ginger and cardamom pods (if using) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until most of the blueberries have burst, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Puree the soup in 2 batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when pureeing hot liquids). Place a fine sieve over the pan and pour the soup through it back into the pan, straining out any solids. (Discard the solids.)
Whisk cornstarch and milk in a measuring cup until smooth. Whisk into the blueberry mixture. Bring the soup to a boil over medium heat, stirring. Boil, stirring constantly, until the soup thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, loosely cover and chill until cold, at least 5 hours or up to 2 days.
Just before serving, whisk 1 cup sour cream into the soup and ladle into bowls; top each serving with 1/2 teaspoon sour cream and swirl decoratively into the soup. Garnish with additional blueberries, if desired.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 2 and chill for up to 1 day. The finished soup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Per serving: 115 calories; 4 g fat (3 g sat, 1 g mono); 14 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 2 g fiber; 21 mg sodium; 104 mg potassium.

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 fat