This is sponsored content for Smeg

This soup is my go-to in summer when there is a glut of fresh, crisp zucchini and fresh basil is abundant, but you can make it year-round.

INGREDIENTS

• 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 large brown onion, thinly sliced
• 4 zucchini, thinly sliced
• 600ml chicken stock (or vegetable stock or water)
• 2 cups fresh basil
• 2 cups sourdough bread, torn into large croutons
• salt and black pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
• zest and juice of ½ a lemon, to serve

METHOD

1. Preheat your oven to 200C fan-forced (220C conventional).
2. Finely mince 4 of the garlic cloves. Heat a soup pot over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Sweat the onions and the minced garlic with a pinch of salt, until soft and sweet but without colour. Add in the zucchini slices and cook until soft, sweet and falling apart, this will take about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, toss the bread pieces with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, season with salt and black pepper and place onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for about 6-8 minutes until the bread is starting to turn golden. At this stage, remove the tray from the oven and add the thyme and parmesan, and grate the remaining 2 garlic cloves with a Microplane directly onto the bread. Toss it all together with a spatula and then return to the oven for another 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove from the oven and set aside.
4. When the zucchini is soft and sweet, add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes and then turn the heat off. Stir in the basil and puree immediately with a stick blender or transfer to a standing blender. Check for seasoning and adjust with salt.
5. Divide the soup in bowls and top with croutons, extra parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and a little lemon zest and juice.

Serves 4

Smeg is a third-generation family business based in the culinary and engineering hub of Emilia Romagna, northern Italy. Since inception 75 years ago, Smeg has created appliances that embody individuality and self-expression in the home. From ovens, cooktops, dishwashers and refrigerators to wine cellars, blast chillers and small appliances, Smeg combines innovation, functionality and Italian design to offer technology with style.

This recipe is from episode two of Good Food Kitchen season 2, screening on 9Now.