Avocado-Jalapeno Soup

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
Grated rind of 1 lime
3 ripe avocados
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon very finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeño
Pepper to taste
1/4 cup cream, whipped, for garnish
1/2 teaspoon chili powder, for garnish

Melt butter in top of a double boiler, add flour and blend with a wire whisk thoroughly. Add salt and lime rind, stirring until mixture thickens. Mash 2 of the avocados and add to soup, mixing thoroughly. Add lemon juice, onion and jalapeño. Chill for several hours or overnight.

Just before serving, cube the remaining avocado.

Serve soup in chilled bowls and garnish with cubed avocado, dab of whipped cream and chili powder.

Yields 6 servings.