Serve this creamy Panamanian soup as a refreshing first course all year long. It offers a nice change from the usual gazpacho for a cold soup choice. A total of three cucumbers will be needed; two will be sliced and one will be chopped. To easily seed cucumbers, slice them in half lengthwise after peeling and use the tip of a teaspoon to gently scrape out the seeds.

Chilled Cucumber & Leek Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped (save this for later)
1 medium leek, washed, trimmed, halved and sliced (white part)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 teaspoons MAGGI Granulated Chicken Flavor Bouillon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper or white pepper
1 (12-ounce) can NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Additional fresh dill (optional)

1. Heat olive oil in large, heavy-duty saucepan. Add sliced cucumbers; cook, over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add leek, dill and bay leaf. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until cucumbers are tender.
2. Stir in flour until absorbed. Add water, bouillon and pepper; simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in evaporated milk. Let stand for 30 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and remove bay leaf.
3. Transfer half of soup into blender container; cover. Hold down lid with folded towel. Blend until smooth. Pour into large bowl. Repeat with remaining soup. Cover; refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Stir in chopped cucumber. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with additional fresh dill, if desired.

Makes 6 (1 cup) servings.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.