🇭🇺 Hungarian Chilled Sour Cherry Soup (Hideg Meggyleves)

🧾 Ingredients:

• 500 g sour cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted)
• 700 ml water
• 100–150 g sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2–3 cloves
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 200 ml sour cream or heavy cream
• 1 tbsp flour (optional, for slight thickening)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• Pinch of salt

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👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Cook the base:
   In a pot, combine cherries, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes.

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3. Thicken (optional):
   In a bowl, mix sour cream with flour until smooth.
4. Take a little hot soup and slowly mix it into the sour cream (to temper it), then pour back into the pot.

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5. Simmer gently for a few more minutes (do not boil after adding cream).
6. Add vanilla extract if using.

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7. Chill:
   Let the soup cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours until cold.