LT@fek.su.se (Lewis Taylor) (06/18/91)
esmith@picasso.helios.nd.edu requested recipes for Scandinavian fruit soups. There are countless variations made from fresh or dried fruit. The simplest are just made from fruit syrups, diluted to taste and thickened with potato starch (or arrowroot or corn starch). Here are some recipes from Swedish cookbooks. Festsoppa (Festive soup) 1 dl raisins 6 prunes 6 dried apricots, cut into pieces 1 finely sliced orange (peeled) 2 liters of water .5 liter black current syrup 10 blanched almonds 15 hazelnuts zest of 1 orange 1 tbsp arrowroot Soak the fruit in the water and syrup overnight. Cook together with the nuts and orange zest for 5 or 6 minutes. Thicken with the arrowroot mixed with a little water. Serve chilled. Cherry soup .5 liter fresh cherries 1.5 - 2 dl water 2 dl sugar 1.5 tbsp potato or corn starch Pit the cherries. Bring the water and sugar to a boil and add the cherries. Remove the pan from the fire. Mix the potato flour with a small amount of water and add to the pan while stirring. Bring the pan to a boil once more stirring continuously. To obtain a stronger flavor you might crack a few of the pits and cook them with the soup. Serve chilled. For my taste, sour morello cherries make the best soup. Blue Plum Soup with Red Wine .5 liter small blue plums 1 liter water 1 tbsp potato or corn starch 2 dl sugar 1-2 tbsp red wine You can use overripe or squashed plums for this soup. Rinse them and remove the pits. Boil them until done in the water. Mix the starch in a small amount of water and add to the plums along with the sugar. Add the wine. Serve cold. A variation is to add a stick of cinnamon to the pot before boiling the plums. You might also want to remove the peels of the plums. Of course, fruit soups are only served as dessert here in Scandinavia, though blueberry soup is popular as quick energy food in connection with marathons and the like. That should provide a basis for making your own variation with your favorite fresh or dried fruit. If you use milk products, you could serve with a dollop of whipped cream or sour cream.