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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Silky Zucchini Soup and Silky Bathrobe



Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Have you ever spent days searching for something
 only to have it turn up in an unlikely place?

The other day, I was searching high 
and low for my silky bathrobe,
just the right weight for a warm, summer night.
 I'd worn it recently, 
but I couldn't find it anywhere.

Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 
It reminded me of when Mr. Goo Shoes and I
were on vacation years ago,
and I couldn't find my bathrobe 
for a couple of days.
 I was convinced that someone took it...
the "someone" could only be the hotel's maid...
but why, why would she want my bathrobe?
There was nothing special about it. 
Puzzling...
it just disappeared.

On the third day of the missing bathrobe,
I got into bed, and when I went to plump up
the pillow,
there was my bathrobe,
neatly folded underneath.
I hadn't noticed it the previous two nights, 
but it had been, literally, right under my nose.

Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Yes, I know you're here for the recipe...
not silly tales of robes gone missing...
and just perhaps you are wondering...
what the heck does this have to do with soup? 

Well...this Silky Zucchini Soup, 
just like my silky bathrobe,
is perfect for a warm, summer night. 

Unlike my bathrobe --
an imposter, pretending to be silk --
the soup is made from all-natural ingredients.

AND...they're both smooth as silk.
How 'bout that?

See, it's all connected! 

Yup, Ms. Toody's done gone lost it this time.
It must be the heat. 
I'll go put a cold compress on my head.

Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I spotted the recipe in a recent issue 
of Food and Wine magazine,
and I was excited to try it.
I've got a "thing" for cold soups.
But to be perfectly honest,
I wanted to wait until Junior Goo Shoes went to camp,
because, as good as it is,
he would take one look at cold, green soup
and run for the hills...
or more likely, the basement,
to his Xbox.

Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


 You know I'd rather do anything but cook,
especially in summer,
so you can bet on this being very easy to make.

The beauty of this soup 
is that you can eat it chilled, hot, or in between.
 My preference was at room temp,
but Mr. Goo Shoes liked it better chilled.

And, oh, yes, it is silky and smooth!
You will swear that there is cream in it,
but, no!
It's healthy, healthy, down to the last drop.

Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

A few notes about the recipe:
  • I omitted the tablespoon of butter, and used 3 tablespoons of olive oil, instead.
  • I used chicken stock instead of vegetable stock because I didn't read the recipe carefully before buying the ingredients. It was still delicious, but I would think it's even better with vegetable broth.
  • It took longer than 10 minutes for my zucchini to soften.
  • Although this is quick to make, give yourself enough time to have it cool down completely before serving, unless you intend to eat it hot.
Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Silky Zucchini Soup 

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped 
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick.
2/3 cup vegetable stock or low-sodium broth.
1 1/2 cups water
Julienned raw zucchini, for garnish.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until softened, about 7-8 minutes.

Add the zucchini and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 10 minutes.

Add the stock and 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a simmer;
cook until the zucchini is very soft, about 10 minutes.

Working in two batches, puree the soup in a blender until it's silky-smooth. Return the soup to the saucepan and season with salt and pepper. Serve it either hot, chilled, or room temperature, garnished with julienned zucchini.

Make Ahead: This soup can be refrigerated overnight. 
Makes 4 servings 

Silky Zucchini Soup --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I'm giving you fair warning 
that this Silky Zucchini Soup is going to disappear quickly. 

Just don't look for it under your pillow. 

 ***********

40 comments:

  1. This does look good and I haven't tried zucchini soup before.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Michelle- this is the one that you should try, then!

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  2. It was pretty tasty hot, too. Of course I had to sample it while it was cooking! Thanks for pinning, Claire!

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  3. Once my daughter starts giving me her over abundance of zucchini from her garden, I will have to try this! It would definitely have to be a meal for my husband and I....maybe I will wait for my son to go to camp before I make it too!!

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    1. I hope you enjoy it, AnnMarie -- after you son goes to camp, lol!

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  4. I've never had zucchini soup before. It certainly does sound like the perfect summer soup though! That would make a nice light lunch too. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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    1. It is very satisfying, and filling, even though there is no cream. It would make a great lunch. I'm going to make it again, soon!

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  5. I love your post. A cold soup sounds perfect for a warm summer evening. It looks delicious.

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  6. Love your bowl and plate, they're so colorful:) I have been looking for my Cannon Powershot SD850 point and shoot camera for over 2 years now and I haven't seen it yet. My most favorite camera of all time. I pray everyday it will turn up.

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    Replies
    1. Oooh, that's an expensive item to misplace! Hope you find it!

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  7. Amy,
    I just made the soup and its delicious. Thank you. With a counter top full of zucchini fresh out of the garden I needed a new recipe to try. Its fresh tasty and smooth. We love it! I can hardly wait to share the recipe with my daughter. She is going to love it too. All the best! Pamela

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  8. You have no idea how timely this post is! Not the soup, but the part about finding something that's been missing. Don't ask!

    As for the soup, I'm a self confessed soup slut. I'll eat any soup, any time, any way...cold, hot, warm. You name it. I'm putting this in my soup file :).

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    Replies
    1. We are sister soup sluts, then, Doreen! I do hope you find whatever is missing!

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  9. This just looks so delicious..It’s beautiful, perfect, and I love it. I like your Silky Zucchini Soup Recipe.
    dining-room-design-ideas

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Laura! It is really satisfying, which is great considering that it's not fattening!

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  10. LOL yes this is EXACTLY the sort of thing a teenage boy would not try :)

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    Replies
    1. Most definitely not, Deb! I'll have to make it again before he comes home!

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  11. Sounds amazing, looks divine. I have to give it a try, I love soup anytime of the year.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  12. Amy, I can see you fluffing around with a cold compress on your head, in desperate need of a bowl of your silky zucchini soup to the rescue! Looks smooth, indeed and how wonderful for those hot and humid days!

    Poppy
    P.S. I was sad to hear your flowers aren't doing that well...they started off so beautifully!:((

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    Replies
    1. I'll take the cold soup over the compress any day! I can't wait to make another batch of this. Yes, my poor flowers just didn't thrive this year. Not sure why :(

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  13. Hi Amy, great recipe! I bought zucchini to make it, but ended up using them in a different dish. I am definitely picking up more next time I am at the store.

    Also, I love your writing, enjoy reading your posts every time. You have have a gift for sure:) Silky robe to silky soup transition was so funny (though I am sure it wasn't funny to you when your robe went missing)!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mila, I'm so happy that you enjoy my posts - that means everything to me :) The soup is worth buying some more zucchini! Hope you like it!

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  14. I'm going to have to try this. I love zucchini! Sounds and looks delicious :-)

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  15. I would have never thought to make soup from zucchini, but this looks great! We get plenty of zucchini from our CSA in the summer, so I'll have to try this! Cute story too! :)

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    Replies
    1. Michelle, I'm so thrilled that you featured this in Foodie Friday! Thank you!

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  16. I have never eaten zucchini soup but I'm betting this is really good. I'm pinning it to my FRESH FROM THE GARDEN board on Pinterest. I'm making this tomorrow because I have a lot of zucchini that I need to do something with soon!

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  17. I love zucchini everything. Thanks for sharing! Hello from Treasure Box Tuesday.

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    Replies
    1. Hello, Melissa! Thanks for visiting...and I hope you give the soup a try!

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  18. Yum, Yum, Yum. My daughter is headed to camp next week so I'll have to try this then. Although she is pretty adventurous and might actually like this. Off to go pin this and become your newest follower.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the follow! I appreciate it! I hope you like the soup-- and please tell me if your daughter does! Hope she is having fun at camp!

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  19. Oh, this looks delicious! I'm pinning it so I can find it when our zucchini plants start to go crazy!

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    Replies
    1. It's got to be even better with home-grown zucchini, Gaye! I hope you like it!

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  20. I found you through A Dish of Daily Life. Love this recipe! It will be perfect for a girls' night in. It is a little surprising to find such a reasonably simple recipe from Grant Achatz. I think of him as someone who prepares wildly complicated and super fancy dishes - maybe that is just at his restaurant. Also love the name of your blog!

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    1. Thank you! I usually find most chefs' recipes too complicated, so I was surprised to see how easy this was. I hope the 'girls" enjoy the soup!

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  21. Sounds wonderful - I'm going to try and make it soon.

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