Chilled Cucumber Soup with Cajun Prawns

This chilled cucumber soup with Cajun prawns is summer in a bowl. Icy-cold, creamy cucumber soup provides the perfect backdrop for hot, spicy prawns - a temperature and flavor contrast that's absolutely addictive. It's the kind of dish that makes you look like a culinary genius with minimal effort.

The soup itself is no-cook simplicity: just blend cucumbers with tangy buttermilk and fresh mint, then chill. The magic happens when those sizzling Cajun-spiced prawns hit the cold soup at the table.

The Art of Temperature Contrast

Hot-and-cold combinations are a hallmark of modern cuisine, and for good reason - temperature contrast heightens our perception of flavor. The cold soup amplifies the heat of the Cajun spices, while the warm prawns release aromatic compounds that perfume each spoonful.

The key is timing. Cook the prawns just before serving and add them to the soup immediately. If they cool down, you lose that dramatic contrast that makes this dish special.

Why Lebanese Cucumbers?

Lebanese cucumbers (also called Persian cucumbers) are ideal for cold soup:

• Sweeter flavor: Less bitter than regular cucumbers
• Thin skin: No need to peel
• Few seeds: Smoother texture when blended
• Higher water content: More refreshing soup

If you can only find regular cucumbers, peel them and scoop out the seeds before blending. English (seedless) cucumbers work well too.

The Buttermilk Base

Buttermilk provides tang and creaminess without heaviness. Its acidity brightens the cucumber flavor and creates a silky texture. If you don't have buttermilk, make a quick substitute: add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to 1 cup milk and let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly.

For a dairy-free version, blend cucumber with coconut cream thinned with water, or use plain coconut yogurt. The flavor profile will be slightly different but equally delicious.

Butterflying Prawns: Why It Matters

Butterflying the prawns isn't just for presentation - it serves practical purposes:

• More surface area: More space for Cajun seasoning to stick
• Faster, even cooking: The flattened prawns cook quickly and uniformly
• Better heat distribution: Both sides get equally crispy and caramelized
• Elegant presentation: Butterflied prawns look impressive in the bowl

To butterfly: cut along the back of each prawn (through where the vein was), but don't cut all the way through. Open the prawn like a book and press gently to flatten.

Getting Cajun Spicing Right

Cajun seasoning typically includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, oregano, and thyme. The heat level varies by brand - taste before using if you're sensitive to spice.

For homemade Cajun seasoning, combine: 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp salt.

Perfect for Entertaining

This soup is ideal for dinner parties because:

• The soup base can be made 24 hours ahead
• Prawns cook in just 4 minutes total
• Assembly takes seconds
• The presentation is stunning and impressive

Pre-portion the soup into chilled bowls. Keep them in the refrigerator. Cook the prawns while guests are seated, then add them dramatically at the table for maximum effect.