Chilled Mint Yogurt Cucumber Soup

Yield: Makes 4 cups

Ingredients

• 1  English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely diced (about 1 3/4 cups)
• 1  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 1  small garlic clove
• 1/8  teaspoon  freshly ground pepper
• 2  cups  plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/4  cup  finely chopped fresh mint
• Garnish: fresh whole chives, extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Combine cucumber and 1/2 teaspoon salt; let stand 15 minutes, and do not drain.

Mince garlic with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir garlic mixture and pepper into yogurt. Stir in mint. Add cucumber and its liquid to yogurt mixture, stirring gently. Garnish with chives and drizzle with olive oil.