creamy zucchini spinach soup with basil (dairy free!)

 

This soup is DELICIOUS!  The author of the blog I found it on said it's "shockingly delicious" and it is.  You can go to Mel's Kitchen Cafe to read her description because it's better than mine.  I love veggies swimming through my veins!  

creamy zucchini soup with spinach and basil (Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1-2 medium leeks, well chopped (I used 3 green onions)

2 medium zucchini, chopped (4 cups)

1 teaspoon salt (careful with the salt!)

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups vegetable stock

2 tablespoons fresh basil (I used 1 teaspoon dry but fresh would be amazing!)

2-3 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

In a saucepan, heat olive oil and add garlic, leeks and zucchini.  Stir in salt and pepper.  Cook 3-4 minutes until leeks soften.  Add 1 cup broth, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes.  Transfer to a blender and add basil.  Process until smooth.  Pour back into the saucepan.  Stir in remaining 1 cup broth.  Stir in chopped spinach and cook 4-5 minutes.

lemon buttercream frosting

 

I wanted to make a cake for my dad's birthday so I went looking for a lemon frosting.  This lemon buttercream frosting went beyond my expectations.  I stuck to the recipe and the consistency was perfect.  It also made just the right amount for this small-ish 3-layer cake.  Delicious!

lemon buttercream icing (sally's baking addiction)

1 cup butter, softened to room temperature

4 1 /2 cups confectioners' sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons milk (okay, the recipe called for heavy cream but I didn't have it)

2 teaspoons lemon zest

pinch of salt, to taste

With a handheld mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy- about 2 minutes.  Add confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, milk, and zest with the mixer funning on low.  Increase to high speed and beat for 3 full minutes.  Taste and add salt as needed.  Add up to 1/2 cup more confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or another tablespoon of milk if it is too thick (I did not need to make any adjustments).