Courgette Soup With Parmesan And Burnt Chilli Marshmallow Food

CHILLED MINTY COURGETTE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and cook gently for about 2-3 minutes until softened. Now add the courgettes and dried mint, and stir well to mix with the onion. Cover and cook over a gentle heat for about 10 minutes until the courgettes are softened but not coloured.
• Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Strip the mint leaves off the stalks and drop them into the pan, then cover the pan and continue simmering gently for 20 minutes or until the courgettes are very tender. Remove from the heat and let the bubbles subside before blitzing in a food processor or blender until smooth (if you like a really smooth soup, simply pour it through a sieve after blitzing). Pour into a bowl and leave to cool, then cover and chill for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
• To serve, taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve in chilled soup plates with a spoonful of cream drizzled in the middle.

COURGETTE / ZUCCHINI PASTA WITH CHILI, GARLIC & PARMESAN

Steps:

• In a large pan of salted water, put the pasta on to boil.
• Grate the courgettes/zucchini, chop or mince the garlic, finely chop the chilli and grate the parmesan.
• Melt the teaspoon of butter in a large frying pan and add the garlic.
• Cook for a couple of minutes and then add the chilli and courgette/zucchini.
• Leave to cook for 10-15mins stirring occasionally. NB. You want to cook everything but not really brown any of it off.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan.
• When the pasta is cooked to your liking, drain well and stir through a tablespoon of olive oil if desired.
• Plate up the pasta and serve with the courgette/zucchini mixture on top.