Corn, Tomato and Zucchini Soup

4 cups stock
4 ears fresh corn
2 tbsp. butter or olive oil
med. onion, minced
2 cups cored, peeled, and chopped tomatoes
2 sm. or 1 med. zucchini, diced
1 tbsp. minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste
minced fresh basil
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Heat stock in saucepan. Strip kernels from ear of corn, and add the cobs to the stock- let simmer while you prepare the other veggies. Put butter in another saucepan on med. heat. Add onion and cook until begins to soften. Add tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, salt and pepper and cook for about 10 mins. 

Remove corn cobs from stock and add the stock to the veggies. Cook until zucchini is tender but not mushy (about 5 mins). Stir in the corn kernels and most of the basil. Add the vinegar. Serve with remaining basil as garnish.

Carrot Soup with Lemon Tahini

 From Smittenkitchen.com

Soup
2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
2 pounds (905 grams) carrots, peeled, diced or thinly sliced
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 regular or 6 small garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon table salt, plus more if needed
Pinch of Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
4 cups (945 ml) vegetable broth

Lemon-tahini dollop
3 tablespoons (25 grams) tahini paste
2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
Pinch or two of salt
2 tablespoons (30 ml) water

Heat two tablespoons olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper flakes and sauté until they begin to brown, about 15 minutes.

Once vegetables have begun to brown, add broth, using it to scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Cover pot with lid and simmer until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small dish, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, salt and water until smooth with a yogurt-like consistency. If more liquid is needed to thin it, you can add more lemon juice or water, a spoonful at a time, until you get your desired consistency.Puree soup in a blender or with an immersion blender until smooth. Ladle into bowls. Dollop each with lemon-tahini, sprinkle with crisped chickpeas and garnish with chopped parsley.

Potato, Green Cabbage and Leek Soup

  • 1/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 cups diced green cabbage (1/2-inch dice; from about 1/2 medium head)
  • 3 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only; 3 to 4 large)
  • 3 large garlic cloves, pressed
  • 3 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled Yukon Gold potatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds)
  • 1 2x2-inch piece Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
  • 1 Turkish bay leaf
  • 6 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (for garnish)

    • Whisk crème fraîche, lemon juice, and lemon peel in small bowl to blend. Cover and chill. DO AHEAD Can be made 4 hours ahead. Keep chilled.

    • Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add cabbage; sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper and sauté until cabbage is almost tender but not brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer 1 cup cabbage to small bowl and reserve for garnish.

    • Add 1 tablespoon butter to pot with cabbage; add leeks and garlic. Sauté over medium heat until leeks soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in potatoes, Parmesan rind, if desired, and bay leaf. Add 6 cups broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until all vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Discard Parmesan rind, if using, and bay leaf. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return puree to pot. Simmer until heated through, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

    • Ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with some of reserved sautéed cabbage. Drizzle crème fraîche mixture over soup; sprinkle with chives and serve.

Creamy Carrot Soup

3T butter or oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 pound carrots, roughly chopped
1 large starchy potato, peeled and roughly chopped
salt and pepper
5 cups stock
1/2 cup cream (optional)

steps
1. Put the butter or oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat.
Add the vegetables. Stir with salt and pepper and cook for about 15
minutes. Add the stock and cook until the vegetables are very tender,
15-20 minutes.
2. use an immersion blender to puree the soup.
3. if you want to include cream, add just before serving.

Cream of Tomato Soup

2 T olive oil
2 T tomato paste
1 large onion
1 carrot
salt and pepper
4 cups tomato (use preserved tomatoes or canned)
1 t thyme leaves
1 cup cream

steps
1. Heat oil in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add the tomato paste and
let it cook for a minute, then add onion and carrot. Sprinkle with
salt and pepper and cook until onions soften, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the tomato and herb and cook until the tomato pieces break up
(10-15 minutes).
3. Add the cream and puree.