Tarator

It's interesting to see how a popular dish in one country is it's own thing, while still sharing aspects with another. For instance this is a Bulgarian soup that reminded me in was of both tzatziki from Greece and okroshka from Ukraine. All three are delicious, esp in this hot weather when no one wants to cook. Or so I keep hearing from people, I haven't been hit with that yet.

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2 large English cucumbers, peeled and seeded
2 cloves fresh garlic
1/4 c. toasted walnuts
2 slices stale white bread
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 c. sour cream or plain yogurt
1 c. water (only use 1/2 a cup if you want it for a dip)
juice of half a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional to stir in at the end fresh dill, grated or cubed cucumbers, toasted walnuts

In a vitamix, other high powered blender, or a food processor combine the garlic cloves, walnuts, bread, and olive oil.  Slowly drizzle in the water and keep blending until you have a uniform paste. 

Add the cucumber and keep going until smooth again. Add the sour cream and lemon and mix again. Taste for salt and pepper and check the consistency. If you want it thick to use as a dip leave it alone, for sour thin it out more. 

I made mine somewhere in the middle and ate it with a really crusty bread. The only thing I stirred in was more chopped walnuts.

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