Zucchini, Basil & Parmesan Soup

Pastadeli, my favourite cafe in Wahroonga, makes lovely soups in winter. 

My favourite one last year was Zucchini, Basil and Parmesan Soup. 

This year I decided to see if I could make it for myself and perfect the recipe!

And I have! 

It has been a great success, so here is the recipe.

Kate's Zucchini, Basil and Parmesan Soup
Makes 4 main meal servings (or 8 entree size serves)

Macronutients per main meal serve: 

Carbs: 7.1g

Protein: 5.6g

Fat: 5.5g

Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic
1kg of Zucchini
1L of Vegetable or Chicken Stock
3/4 bunch fresh Basil
25g Parmesan Cheese


Method
1. In a large saucepan heat oil. Put in sliced onion and garlic, stirring occasionally until translucent.
2. Add diced zucchini, stirring ingredients together.
3. Add stock. For a thinner soup, add enough stock to cover the zucchini, for a thick soup, have the stock come up 2cm below the top of the zucchini. You vary the viscosity of the soup by adding between these two points.
4. Simmer (it is ok if gently boiling) with a lid on for at least 30 minutes.
5. Take basil, tearing the leaves and placing into the soup. Stir through and only allow to cook for a further two minutes.
6. Remove the soup from the heat source, and puree it (I use a kitchen wizz). There should be a strong basil scent.
7. Add the parmesan, puree a second time, and then put it back on the heat for a minute or two, just to ensure the parmesan melts well and spreads throughout the whole soup.
8. Serve!


Variations
Less intense basil flavour: add the basil to the soup with the zucchini in step 3.
Creamier & richer soup: add 50g of parmesan (not 25g)

Katy's Gold Bracelet

My cymbidium orchid has finally flowered. 

It is looking beautiful.

I also did the flowers at church on Sunday. 

I was very pleased with how the arrangement turned out. 

I used the beautiful willow twigs from last week, and added November Lilies and Bud Wax.

These are the snapdragons that were left over from last week's arrangement, with bud wax scattered amongst it.

These photos can't compare to the photos that Stephen took for me last week, but they give you an idea of how they turned out.

Flowers...

One of the things I've enjoyed doing over the last week 

was putting together the flowers in the church. 

My name had come up on the roster, so I went into the flower markets 

early on Friday morning to be inspired.

I enjoy finding something a little different to work with, but on Friday there was only one thing that stood out to me in this way. 

Bundles of willow twigs. 

Not just any willow twigs.

The colour in these willow twigs was amazing!!!

One side of the branch was firey red and the other side sunshine yellow! 

It made me think a bright sunset shining through an autumn-infused tree. 

If I bought these to work with, I knew that I would end up making an arrangement that was unusual - and probably not liked by everyone - but I couldn't help it! 

I just had to give it a go!

So after buying a bundle of willow and finding several shades of snapdragons to add to it, I left the markets; dubious as to whether I could make an arrangement I was happy with.

Here is the result!

(Grateful thanks must be given to Stephen Lau for taking these awesome photos for me~ you rock!!!)

So, what is your opinion on them?

This is my favourite photo!

Couple of photos

Well it's been a while since I've posted. 

I saw these photos on the SMH website last night. 

Nice shots!

Inspiration Daily

Creature Comforts is one of my daily blog reads.

I look forward to their Inspiration Daily, eagerly awaiting the image to be discovered and the colours found in it.

Today was no exception:

Isn't it sublimely beautiful.

I'm having such a hard time deciding what flowers to use for my Birthday party on Saturday, 

now I have another idea to add to the list!

Personally, Tarquin gives me inspiration of some kind daily. 

I am truly blessed to have him, and to have a rental flat that will allow pets!

Here is tonight's photo: Tarquin has spent most of the day in this fluffy blanket.

I love my old man!

Cuties

I've spent a lot of time window shopping over the last few weeks, 

looking for a dress for my birthday party and things to decorate it with.

These are a couple of the cute and interesting novelties I found in my travels.

Look at this Little Red Riding Hood Cup I found!

And these cute miniature games I found.

They had elastics, a miniature bowling kit and miniature croquet kit!

Another decade begins...

Well...

I turned 30 last week.

I had a wonderful day, walking the flower markets, eating brunch, spending time with friends and family... 

but even with all the love and friendship I experienced on this day, something wasn't quite right.

As I took time to pray later in the day, 

I found God showing me how I have been feeling this way for months, maybe even years.

I'm stuck.

Once I recognised this, I realised that I stand on the cusp of something new. 

A new decade in my life has begun. 

The last decade was disappointing in many ways, but this coming decade doesn't have to follow in the last's footsteps. 

And so, I made the decision to work through what my dreams and desires really are. 

To pray about them, 

and look at how they can come to pass. 

I don't have to force every door open, however, I believe that in recognising all that God has given me in my heart, 

I can prepare myself and be ready to see the door open. 

No longer will I be blind to God's leading and always survive on half hopes and dreams. 

I can have hopes and dreams that bloom full and lush. 

I can lay them at my Lord's feet in prayer and he will hear them and will guide me.

And so, as I sit with Tarquin on my lap, having loudly purred himself into a sleeping stupor, I know that I can start to pray and dream about my future - whole heartedly.