I can finally chill out!

After months of gloom and rain, the sun is finally shining (for a day or more at a time) in Boston! There is enough heat now to crave cool, Pitta-pacifying foods like leafy green salads, cucumbers, coconut water, fruit and soup. Soup? Yup, refreshing, chilled soup.

I recently pulled out some oldie-but-goodie recipes of mine for soups that require no cooking. On a really hot day, who wants to turn on the stove? So rather than saute and simmer, I prefer to chop and blend ingredients.

The fundamental definition of the verb "cook" is 'to prepare food for eating.' While the term implies the use of heat, the application of fire (or gas or electricity) is not required in all instances. From an Ayurvedic and nutritional perspective, "cooking" is the predigestion of food. Breaking down edible substances with heat, acid or brute force before consumption makes the nutrients more accessible thus easier for the body to assimilate. A blender is all you need to "cook" my favorite summer soups.

Blueberry Bisque

10 oz. package frozen wild blueberries

1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)

1 Tablespooon fresh lime juice

1/2 teaspoon lime zest

1/4 cup apple juice, as needed

1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, to taste

2 - 3 Tablespoons honey, to taste

Combine blueberries, sour cream, lime juice and zest in a blender. Add enough apple juice to achieve a smooth texture with desired consistency. Add cinnamon and honey to taste. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Makes 2 cups. I love to serve this with crunchy biscotti or vanilla wafers.

Cool Avocado Cucumber Soup

2 large ripe Haas avocadoes

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (1 cup)

1/4 cup red onion, diced

juice of two limes

1 teaspoon lime zest

1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste

1/4 teaspoon cumin, to taste

1 cup water, as needed

Combine all ingredients in blender and process till smooth and creamy. Add additional water, if necessary, to achieve pourable consistency. Season with additional salt, to taste. Makes about 3 cups. May be consumed immediately or chilled for an hour or two.