Heart Healthy Chilled Avocado Tarragon Bisque
A California Avocado Commission avocado bisque recipe was the inspiration for my heart healthy version made with non-fat milk and non-fat yogurt. Avocados contribute good fats to one’s diet and they’re low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free. Non-fat dairy ingredients in my recipe complement the rich avocado, resulting in a perfect balance that is good for the heart. The lovely fragrant tarragon, creamy colorful avocado, and tangy yogurt marry well together. Â The method is so simple you can make it for lunch today, yet it is also elegant enough to serve at your next summer dinner party.
- 1 ripe avocado (medium/large)
- 1 c. non-fat milk
- 1/2 t. chopped tarragon
- 1/2 t. sea salt
- 2 T. non-fat Greek yogurt
Bring non-fat milk to a simmer (do not boil). Add tarragon and salt, stir then remove from heat. Let steep one hour.
Place the meat of one avocado in a food processor or blender. Add milk mixture and yogurt. Blend well. Chill. Serve. Our heart healthy version is garnished simply with sliced avocado and a sprig of tarragon. But we will be jazzing it up for our next dinner party!
Here are some ideas for garnish:
- roasted poblano chile/ lime juice/ tortilla strips
- grilled avocado/ cilantro/ lime juice
- creme fraiche/ crab/ chive
- smoked trout/ lemon
- chopped bacon/ tomato/ arugula
- shrimp/ chile oil
Please share your ideas for a garnish!
Wow Lori Lyn…this is such an elegant recipe(and photo!). I’ve never had a avocado soup/bisque before…your elegant photo convinces met to have ago at this…
Ronelle
Oh Lori Lynn, this looks amazing! I am going to have to make it!!
I just discovered tarragon over the weekend and I’m hooked….
Very nice. Though I love avocado, I’ve actually never had avocado soup. Good idea to use the non-fat products because you get enough richness from the avocado. How about feta and kalamata olives as a garnish?
Anything chilled gives me the shivers at the moment, but I’ll file this away for our summer, Lori Lynn ~ thank you! Have a gorgeous weekend…
I’m gonna try this, it’s freakin’ hot out there and I’m a fan of cold soups.
What a beautiful summer bisque! Wonderful ingredient…love it:)
Very elegant, Lori Lynn. I think I would opt for lime juice with the soup.
Such delicate flavours!
Tarragon is such an underrated herb! Good on you for using it 🙂
This looks great! Such wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing.
Your recipe inspired me to try tarragon. thank you for a great post.
So simple, and healthy. I am making this ASAP!
Jason
Wow, what an elegant bisque…absolutely love it…so simple and yet SO tasty 🙂
This looks and “smells” refreshing and wonderful! I love tarragon but use it very rarely. I can just sense that the two flavors would pair wonderfully together!
Like all your ideas for garnishes on this chilled soup! Is the recipe for about one serving?
Hi Cristina – Since this is not the kind of soup you would eat a big bowl of, like chicken noodle soup, I would say this recipe makes plenty for two servings, and is even good for three servings. Thanks for your comment.
LL
this sounds delicious and to match it up with tarragon I am sure adds a nice twist –
What a lovely and refreshing chilled soup! Tarragon is underused in my opinion…I have some in my crisper right now. ..and some Greek yogurt. No excuse not to make this ASAP.
great first pic, lovely detail for a great soup, love the combo of avocado and tarrgaon, and yes with strips of roasted poblano…perfection
sweetlife
i like to drink it a juice at the local Vietnamese restaurant.
LL,
I love me some avodaco! I make guacamole almost every weekend in the summer!
You are so lucky to have California avocados all the time, we only seem to get them from Mexico and they are hit or miss.
Stace
Oooooh, L2! This looks so refreshing and good!! YUM!!!
I am totally making this for my kid this weekend. She is a bit over two and loves all things avocado!
I made this bisque this week and I love it. Little bit of cracked black pepper and a nice white wine. Killer!
Afterwards I blogged about cold summer soups and ended up guest posting it at The Messie Kitchen. http://bit.ly/aHDwZH
Oh, great to hear that Jason, so glad you liked it! I’m on my way to read your post on summer soups!
LL
Oh lady, you’ve hit home here with me! Aguate and tarragon are two of my faves. I don’t think I’ve ever used them together. Great looking bisque. I can smell it here. I’ll try it out and let you know how it worked out for me… Nice job!
I feel like running to the store and buy avocado NOW!
I have learned the hard way to be careful when buying tarragon here:
There is the good fragrant one, the so-called French, and there’s a Russian one, and that one tastes more of soap than anything else.
Delicious. Definitely book-marking this the next time I happen across a pile of avocados.
Cheers!
[K]
Looks like a perfect first course for a warm weather dinner on the patio…
This can only be amazingly wonderful. Beautiful!
Oooo this sounds incredible!!! Bookmarking this to try out soon!