Sure, let’s dive into the delightful world of making Summer Squash Lemon Thyme Soup, a vibrant and refreshing concoction perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a light lunch/snack option. 🍲
Summer Squash Lemon Thyme Soup Recipe
Description: Dive into the luscious flavors of summer with this exquisite Summer Squash Lemon Thyme Soup. It’s a delightful blend of tender summer squash, aromatic herbs, zesty lemon, and nutty Parmesan cheese, all harmoniously combined to create a bowl of pure comfort and satisfaction.
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Calories: 80.2 per serving
- Cuisine: Clear Soup
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Extra virgin olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Sweet onions | 2 |
| Leek | 1 |
| Garlic | 6 cloves |
| Summer squash | 6 |
| Fresh lemon thyme | 4 sprigs |
| Chicken broth | 5 cups |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Fresh lemon juice | 2 – 4 tbsp |
| Parmesan cheese | Shaved |
| Pine nuts | Handful |
| Lemon zest | From 1 lemon |
| Hot pepper sauce (optional) | To taste |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Base:
- In a 4-quart Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sweet onions, leek, and garlic. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the onions turn soft and translucent.
-
Add Squash and Thyme:
- To the softened onions mixture, add the diced summer squash and fresh lemon thyme. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
-
Simmer the Soup:
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Pour in the chicken broth and season with salt to taste. Allow the soup to come to a gentle boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, partially cover the Dutch oven, and let it simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until the squash is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
-
Blend and Season:
- Remove and discard the thyme sprigs from the soup.
- Carefully puree the soup in batches using a covered blender until smooth and creamy.
- Return the pureed soup to the Dutch oven and gently reheat it over medium heat.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice and hot pepper sauce, adjusting the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
-
Serve and Garnish:
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls.
- Garnish each bowl with a generous sprinkle of shaved Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, and a sprinkle of lemon zest for a burst of citrusy aroma.
- Serve the Summer Squash Lemon Thyme Soup piping hot and enjoy the wonderful flavors of summer in every spoonful.
Tips:
- For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender directly in the Dutch oven to puree the soup.
- Feel free to customize the soup by adding other seasonal vegetables or herbs of your choice.
- Adjust the lemon juice and hot pepper sauce according to your preferred level of acidity and heat.
- This soup can be made ahead of time and reheated gently before serving. It also freezes well for future enjoyment.
With its vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and nourishing ingredients, this Summer Squash Lemon Thyme Soup is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Whether you’re savoring it on a warm summer day or craving a taste of sunshine during the colder months, this soup is a true delight for the senses. Enjoy! 🌞🍋
