🇭🇺 Hungarian Chilled Sour Cherry Soup

Hideg Meggyleves

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb (700 g) sour cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen)
  • 4 cups water
  • ½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2–3 whole cloves
  • Strip of lemon peel (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

To Finish

  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional, traditional in some homes)

Instructions

  1. In a pot, combine cherries, water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel, and salt.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer 10–15 minutes until cherries are tender.
  3. Remove cinnamon, cloves, and lemon peel.
  4. In a bowl, whisk sour cream with flour (or cornstarch) until smooth.
  5. Temper with a little hot soup, then stir back into the pot.
  6. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened (do not boil).
  7. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla if using.
  8. Cool completely, then refrigerate 2–3 hours until well chilled.

Serving Tips

  • Serve ice-cold on hot days 🌞
  • Optional garnish: fresh cherries or a swirl of cream
  • Sweet, tangy, and uniquely Hungarian 🇭🇺💗

Leave a Comment