Chilled Cream Of Zucchini Soup With Mussels And Fresh Mint Food

CHILLED MINTED ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan heat oil over medium-low heat until hot but not smoking and sauté one third of the zucchini, stirring occasionally, until golden.
• Add remaining zucchini and water and simmer until zucchini is very tender, about 15 minutes.
• Cool mixture slightly and in a blender puree in batches until smooth, transferring to a bowl.
• Stir in yoghurt, mint, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill soup, covered, at least until cold, about 6 hours, and up to 1 day (after that, it will lose its fresh taste).
• Before serving, season with salt and pepper, if necessary.

ZUCCHINI-MINT SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Add zucchini; cook, stirring occasionally, until skins turn bright green, about 3 minutes. Add stock and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, partially covered, until zucchini is tender, about 12 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Puree zucchini mixture in a food processor. Return to pan. Stir in 1 tablespoon mint. Season with salt, if desired. Sprinkle with remaining tablespoon mint. Serve immediately. Keep warm on stove over medium-low heat, if necessary.

CREAM OF ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• Saute onion in butter in a large saucepan until tender. Add the zucchini and broth; stir well. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
• Use an immersion blender to puree the zucchini/onion mix, or place in a blender.
• Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan. Stir in half and half and seasonings. Cook zucchini mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thoroughly heated. Ladle soup into individual soup bowls. Sprinkle evenly with shredded Cheddar cheese.

CHILLED ZUCCHINI-YOGURT SOUP WITH FRESH MINT

Steps:

• Place the water in the bottom of a saucepan fitted with a steamer and bring to a boil. Place the zucchini in the steamer, set over the boiling water, cover and steam 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Do not drain the steaming water.
• Place half the zucchini in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, add 3/4 teaspoons salt, and puree until smooth. Add half the steaming water and pulse until smooth. Scrape into a bowl, and repeat with the remaining zucchini and steaming water, and another 3/4 teaspoon salt. Scrape into the bowl with the first batch. Whisk in the yogurt, the chopped mint, pepper, lemon juice, and optional garlic. Taste and adjust salt. Chill, either in the refrigerator or in an ice bath.
• Strain the cold soup through a medium strainer into a bowl. Use a rubber spatula to press the soup against the strainer and to scrape the soup off the outside of the strainer, to extract maximum flavor and to get as much soup through as you can.
• Toss the thinly sliced zucchini garnish with a generous pinch of salt and place in a strainer set over a bowl, or in the sink. Let sit for 15 minutes. The zucchini will soften. Rinse and pat dry. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with several slices of zucchini and a sprinkle of slivered mint leaves.

CHILLED ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Pour water into the saucepan and bring to a boil. Add 4 sprigs of mint and zucchini. Reduce heat to low and simmer soup, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove mint.
• Stir together cornstarch and cold water and add to the soup. Increase heat to medium and whisk cornstarch mixture so soup thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Chill soup in the refrigerator until cold, about 2 hours. Before serving, add lemon juice and garnish with remaining mint, basil, and remaining olive oil.

CHILLED ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• Cook shallots in oil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add zucchini, zest, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is softened, about 5 minutes. Add broth and water and simmer until zucchini is tender, about 3 minutes.
• Purée zucchini mixture, including zest, along with parsley and dill in a blender (in 2 batches if necessary) until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Transfer to a metal bowl, then set bowl into a larger bowl of ice and cold water (to quick-chill). Cool, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in buttermilk and season with salt.

CHILLED MINTED ZUCCHINI SOUP

Steps:

• In a 31/2- to 4-quart heavy saucepan heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté one third zucchini, stirring occasionally, until golden. Add remaining zucchini and water and simmer until zucchini is very tender, about 15 minutes. Cool mixture slightly and in a blender purée in batches until smooth, transferring to a bowl. Stir in yogurt, mint, and salt and pepper to taste. Chill soup, covered, at least until cold, about 6 hours, and up to 1 day. Before serving, season with salt and pepper if necessary.