Creamy Thai Avocado Soup

Makes 8 servings or 4 cups (1 L)

The delicious avocado has a lovely creamy texture that adds a perfect smoothness to this cold curry-spiked soup.

3 very ripe Haas avocados
400 ml can coconut milk 
1 cup (250 ml) distilled water
1/4 cup (60 ml) diced sweet onion or Spanish onion
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 Tbsp (30 ml) Thai green curry paste
3 tsp (15 ml) cane sugar 
2 tsp (10 ml) peeled and grated ginger root
1 tsp (5 ml) finely grated lime zest 
3 tsp (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 tsp (1 ml) sea salt
Freshly ground white pepper
1/4 cup (60 ml) finely diced red capsicum
1/4 cup (60 ml) shredded Thai basil
1 1/2 Tbsp (30 ml) minced fresh chives

Pit and peel avocados. Coarsely chop avocados and place in blender or food processor along with coconut milk, water, onion, garlic, curry paste, sugar, ginger, lime zest, lime juice, salt and generous gratings of white pepper. Whirl until blended and very smooth. Add more water and seasonings to taste if you wish.

Soup will be thick and deliciously creamy. Cut a piece of baking paper to fit evenly on top of soup. Press onto soup to prevent air from discolouring the surface during refrigeration. Refrigerate until very cold.

To serve, sprinkle with a little diced red capsicum, shredded basil and minced chives. For a picnic idea, pour soup into 1 cup (250 ml) Mason jars and refrigerate. Sprinkle with garnishes before serving.

Each serving contains: 942 kilojoules; 3 g protein; 21 g total fat (12 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 12 g carbohydrates (4 g sugars, 6 g fibre); 91 mg sodium

source: "Delicious Raw Foods", alive Australia #17, Spring 2013