Cold Cucumber Soup with Louisiana Oysters on the Half Shell and Osteria Caviar

A cool, refreshing soup with fresh oysters and a light, lemony sauce.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup minced onions
Salt
Freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
6 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced
10 cups chicken stock
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of two lemons
1/4 cup minced shallots
Freshly ground black pepper
24 Louisiana oysters on the half shell
1 ounce Osteria caviar
1 tablespoon finely chopped freshly parsley leaves

Instructions

In a 1 gallon saucepan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cucumbers. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 4 to 6 minutes, or until wilted. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Using a handheld blender or food processor, puree until smooth. Chill the soup completely. Stir in the yogurt. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk the olive oil and lemon juice together. Whisk in the shallots. Season with salt and black pepper.

To serve, ladle the soup into eight bowls. Arrange three of the oysters around each bowl of the soup. Drizzle the sauce over each oyster. Garnish each oyster with the caviar. Garnish the soup with parsley.

Yield: 8 servings