Tomato Zucchini Soup ~ 2 ways, and Cheese Toasts

Tomato Zucchini Soup ~ 2 Ways and Cheese Toasts
As shared from the kitchen of Once Upon a Plate by Mari
www.onceuponaplate1.com
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Recipe provides 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients:
1/4 cup good, flavorful olive oil
1 cup diced carrots (about 2 medium size)
4 cups zucchini (about 3-4 medium size)
1 cup diced red onion
1 cup diced yellow or white onion
1 cup diced celery
6 cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)
2 to 3 Tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, stripped from stem
2 bay leaves
pinch red pepper flakes
4 cups crushed Italian peeled tomatoes, (approx. Two 28-ounce cans)
4 cups water or chicken stock/broth
2 teaspoons salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
2 cups heavy cream or whole milk (optional)
[You can reduce the amount of milk or cream, or omit it entirely for a Dairy-free soup]
For the chunky soup only: a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar, shaved parmesan for garnish.

Method:
1. Choose a large stockpot with a covered lid, warm olive oil over medium-
high heat. Cook the vegetables with garlic, herbs and pepper flakes until
tender (about 10 to 12 minutes), covered with lid. Stir frequently so they do not brown or burn.
2. Reduce heat to medium, remove lid and add tomatoes and 4 cups of water or chicken broth/stock, bring soup to a boil, then simmer for 20
minutes. 
3. Season soup with salt and pepper remove bay leaves and taste for seasonings; adjust if necessary. Remove pot from heat.
4. At this point you may continue with the recipe to blend all of the soup, or half of it to make a smooth soup; or

For chunky soup: Add a splash of the vinegar, sprinkle with with shaved parmesan as garnish (Don't add milk or cream to the chunky version if you add the vinegar as it will curdle.)

For smooth soup: Carefully ladle half of the soup into blender, place lid on blender container, cover with a kitchen towel to avoid hot splatters, and blend for 2 or 3 minutes with the milk or cream (if using.) Serve hot.

Cheese Toasts:
Ingredients for each serving of toast:
2 slices sourdough bread
2 tablespoon creamy goat cheese
1 teaspoon butter

Spread goat cheese on one of the bread slices top with other slice to make a sandwich. Spread thin layer of soft butter on both surfaces of the outside of sandwich. Grill in a warm skillet or on a griddle (over medium heat), butter should gently sizzle as it is placed in the skillet or on the griddle. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown on both sides.  Remove from pan and allow to cool for a minute or two (for easier slicing), remove crusts from edges and cut each sandwich into 2 or 3 slices. Serve warm.
Enjoy! ~Mari

Recipes adapted from: 

 Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook: Breakfast, Brunch & Beyond from New York's Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant

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Summer Squash Gratin with Salsa Verde

Summer Squash Gratin with Salsa Verde
As shared from the kitchen of Once Upon a Plate by Mari
www.onceuponaplate1.com
Recipe yields 4 to 6 servings
This is substantial enough to be served as a main dish, but also makes a wonderful side dish with something from the grill. Feel free to substitute the Gruyere with Jarlsberg or another cheese that melts well.
Salsa Verde: (this is tasty on grilled chicken or fish, too.)
1 teaspoon fresh (or 1/2 teaspoon dried) oregano or marjoram.
1/4 cup coarsely chopped mint (optional)
1 cup coarsely chopped flat leaf (Italian) parsley
3/4 cups extra-virgin olive oil
1 small clove garlic
1 anchovy (it won't make the sauce taste 'fishy', it just adds a lovely layer of flavor)
1 Tablespoon capers, drained (rinse them and drain if they are packed in salt)
1 fresh lemon
freshly ground black pepper
Gratin:
2 pounds summer squash (all one type, or a mix)
1 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs (dried will not work well)
3 Tablespoons butter
3/4 cups sliced shallot
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon thyme leaves (or 1 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1 chile, seeded and finely chopped (jalapeno, serrano, or New Mexico)
1 cup grated Gruyere Cheese, or any good melting cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
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First make the salsa verde: I use a mortar and pestle to make this, but you can use a food processor if you prefer. Pound the garlic and anchovy, then add the herbs and pound them with a couple of tablespoons of the oil into a thick paste. Add capers and lightly crush, stir in the remaining oil, a few grinds of freshly ground pepper and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Taste for seasoning, add more lemon juice if desired. (I always add more)
To assemble the gratin:  
•Heat oven to 400˚F. Slice the squash into 1/4-inch slices. Toss slices in a large bowl with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and allow to sit for 10 minutes (this will release some of the water from the squash)


•Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl. Heat a small saute pan over medium heat for 1 minute. Place the butter in the hot pan and swirl around; allow butter to cook for a few minutes until it is nicely browned and smells nutty. Pour the brown butter (including the brown bits from the bottom of the butter pan) over the bread crumbs, toss with a fork or silicone spatula to coat the crumbs evenly with the butter. Set aside to cool.
•Drain the squash and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Add the shallots, thyme, minced garlic, chile, 1/2 of the salsa verde and some freshly ground black pepper. Toss ingredients to combine, add the grated cheese and half of the butter-coated bread crumbs. Toss again and taste for seasoning (the garlic will be pungent at this point, but mellows out as the gratin bakes.)
•Place the squash mixture in a 9x9-inch (or equivalent) gratin dish, (or divide mixture evenly into 4 individual gratin dishes.) Sprinkle the remaining bread crumbs over the top. Bake large gratin for 35 to 40 minutes, the individual gratins for 15 to 20 minutes (or so, until squash is just tender, cheese is bubbling, and bread crumb topping is nicely golden brown.) Tent with foil if crumbs begin browning too quickly. Remove from oven, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, then enjoy!
•Any extra salsa verde can be passed at the table to drizzle over the gratin, it also makes a delightful sauce, spooned over grilled chicken or fish.


Recipe adapted from "Sunday Suppers at Lucques" by Susan Goin.

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