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Cold spiced cherry soup

Time40 minutes
YieldsServes 6 to 8
CherrySoup--Studio shot of Cold Spiced Cherry Soup with creme fraiche.
(Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)
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It’s the balsamic that makes the difference in this California-ized variation on cold spiced Hungarian soup. Poached in rose wine with all the warm spices cherries take to so readily, the fruit tints the soup a pale, creamy pink. Serve it as a first course on a hot afternoon, and the slightly sweet soup will perk up even the most jaded of appetites.

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1

Cut a piece of cheesecloth about 5 inches square. Place the cloves, allspice, cinnamon and peppercorns in the center. Bring the corners together and tie the packet shut with a piece of string. (Alternatively, you can place the spices in a large tea ball.)

2

Bring 2 cups water, the wine and sugar to a simmer in a large saucepan and add the spice packet. Cook until the wine loses its raw alcohol smell and mellows in flavor, about 15 minutes. Cooking gently will help the wine retain its delicate fruit.

3

Add the cherries and cook, at a gentle poach, until the cherries have slightly softened, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar and the almond extract. Taste and adjust the vinegar; the soup should be slightly sweet, but with a tart backbone. Transfer to a lidded bowl and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 4 hours.

4

Just before serving, discard the spice packet and add the creme fraiche. Replace the lid and shake gently to mix well. The soup should be lightly creamy and pale pink. There should not be any trace of unincorporated creme fraiche.

5

Ladle the soup into chilled bowls and garnish with a small spoon of creme fraiche swirled into the center.