Courgette Soup With Basil Food

ZUCCHINI AND BASIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, thyme, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, until the potatoes are well coated, 2 to 3 minutes more. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the zucchini, bring back to a simmer and cook until tender, about 10 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer. Remove from the heat, discard the thyme and let cool at least 5 minutes. Stir the basil into the soup and carefully puree until smooth with a handheld immersion blender or in 2 to 3 batches in a blender (do not fill the blender more than halfway full).
• Reheat the soup if necessary, adjusting the consistency and seasoning with additional water, salt and pepper.
• Serve hot and garnish with a sprinkle of almonds, basil leaves and a drizzle of oil.

ZUCCHINI AND BASIL SOUP

Steps:

• Sauté the onion in a large (preferably non-stick) pan over a gentle heat until softened but not browned; add the potatoes and cover and cook over a gentle heat.
• Cut the ends from the zucchinis and cut into thick slices; add to the pan and add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and cook, covered, for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the vegetable stock and bring to the boil; simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes or until the zucchini is very tender.
• Stir in the basil and the garlic and simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and cool slightly; then blend the soup in a blender or food processor. An immersion blender is undoubtedly the easiest way to do this.
• Reheat the blended soup and stir in the lemon juice.
• Serve with a dollop of cream or Greek yoghurt and a sprinkling of finely chopped parsley, shredded basil or a thin slice of lime in each bowl.
• NOTES: If you don't like lemon, this can be omitted. I really recommend using Greek yoghurt rather than cream; it's just so deliciously creamy! When making this soup, I've used my Vegetable Stock Recipe #135453.

ZUCCHINI-BASIL SOUP

Steps:

• Julienne skin (only) from half of zucchini with slicer; toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt and drain in a sieve until wilted, at least 20 minutes. Coarsely chop remaining zucchini.
• Cook onion and garlic in oil in a 3- to 4-quarts heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add chopped zucchini and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add 3 cups water and simmer, partially covered, until tender, about 15 minutes. Purée soup with basil in 2 batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids).
• Bring remaining cup water to a boil in a small saucepan and blanch julienned zucchini 1 minute. Drain in a sieve set over a bowl (use liquid to thin soup if necessary).
• Season soup with salt and pepper. Serve in shallow bowls with julienned zucchini mounded on top.

COURGETTE, BASIL AND BRIE CHEESE SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large heavy-based pan and fry the onion 2-3 minutes until softened.
• Add the potato, garlic and wine, and cook for a further 5 minutes.
• Stir in the stock and courgettes and bring to the boil.
• Reduce heat, then cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes or until the potato is cooked.
• Pour in the milk, add the Brie and heat through gently until melted.
• Stir in the cream and basil, and warm through without letting it boil.
• Season and serve with the extra basil sprinkled on top.
• * If you want a smoother soup just run a stick blender through it a few times.or even place in blender and pulse.