
Spas (yogurt soup)
Spas is a beloved Armenian yogurt soup that holds a special place in my heart because it perfectly balances comforting warmth with a bright, tangy finish. Traditionally, this dish is a labor of love, requiring hours to simmer whole wheat berries until they burst. However, since we are working with a strict thirty-minute window, I rely on a clever shortcut: using fine or medium bulgur wheat, which cooks in a fraction of the time while still delivering that essential chewy texture and nutty flavor. The soul of Spas lies in its creamy, slightly sour broth, enriched with eggs and fresh herbs like cilantro or mint. The most common pitfall when making any yogurt soup is the dreaded curdling. To prevent this, I always temper the yogurt mixture. I whisk the eggs into the yogurt first, then gradually ladle in the hot broth while stirring constantly before returning it to the pot. Another crucial secret is adding a pinch of baking soda or a little cornstarch to the yogurt base, which stabilizes the proteins and ensures a silky, smooth texture. Spas matters because it transforms humble, pantry-staple ingredients into a restorative, nourishing bowl that feels like a warm hug. Whether served as a light starter to awaken the palate or a quick, soothing main course on a busy weeknight, this adapted Spas proves that you do not need to sacrifice tradition or depth of flavor for the sake of speed. It is a beautiful testament to Armenian culinary ingenuity, proving that with a few smart techniques, ancient comfort food can easily fit into our modern, fast-paced lives.
營養
| 每份 | calories | protein | carbs | fat | satFat | fibre | sugar | sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| beginner | 219kcal | 8g | 32g | 8g | 5g | 4g | 6g | 551mg |
| intermediate | 205kcal | 8g | 28g | 8g | 5g | 4g | 6g | 551mg |
| expert | 206kcal | 8g | 29g | 8g | 5g | 4g | 6g | 558mg |
每份 · Ava 估算值 — 僅供參考,非臨床數據。
- 500 gplain whole milk yogurt— full fat preferred to prevent curdling
- 100 gfine bulgur wheat— rinsed
- 1000 mlwater— or vegetable broth
- 10 gall-purpose flour— to stabilize the yogurt
- 3 clovesgarlic clove— minced
- 30 gfresh cilantro— chopped
- 10 gfresh mint— chopped
- 5 gsalt
- 15 gunsalted butter(optional)— for garnish
- 15 gcornstarch
- 2 gAleppo pepper
This beginner-friendly Spas skips the traditional, time-consuming preparation of korkot (fermented dried wheat and yogurt) in favor of quick-cooking fine bulgur and store-bought plain whole-milk yogurt. The biggest challenge with any yogurt soup is preventing the dairy from curdling or splitting when heated. To guarantee a smooth, velvety texture on your first try, we use a simple cornstarch slurry and gentle heat. You will also use dried mint instead of toasting fresh herbs, saving precious minutes while still delivering that signature aromatic finish. Keep a close eye on the pot once it reaches a simmer; the soup should only bubble gently, never boil vigorously. Stir frequently during the first few minutes of heating to ensure the cornstarch fully activates and coats the yogurt proteins. This shortcut method brings the total time under thirty minutes, making it a perfect, comforting weeknight starter that still honors the bright, tangy essence of Armenian cuisine without the stress of traditional fermentation and drying techniques.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed pot— Stainless steel or enameled cast iron prevents scorching
- Whisk— Essential for keeping the yogurt smooth
Method
- 1
Whisk the plain yogurt, cornstarch, water, and salt together in a heavy-bottomed pot until completely smooth.
Ensure no cornstarch lumps remain to prevent a starchy mouthfeel.
whisking~ 2 min - 2
Place the pot over medium-low heat and stir constantly until the soup just begins to steam and thicken slightly.
Do not let it boil, or the yogurt will curdle and split.
heating~ 5 minTricky bit - 3
Stir in the quick-cooking bulgur wheat and reduce the heat to low to simmer gently for ten minutes.
The bulgur should be tender but still retain a slight chew.
simmering~ 10 min - 4
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each portion with a drizzle of melted butter and a pinch of dried mint.
The hot soup will instantly bloom the dried mint's essential oils.
blooming~ 2 min
儲存時間僅供參考 — 請自行判斷並安全存放食物。