(Crème Froide de Courgettes et
Moules à la Menthe Fraîche)

Makes 6 servings.

INGREDIENTS

• 5tablespoons olive oil
• 1large onion, chopped
• 1large carrot, chopped
• 3garlic cloves, minced
• 3fresh thyme sprigs
• 4cups chicken stock or cannedlow-salt chicken broth
• 2cups dry white wine
• 2 1/4pounds fresh mussels, scrubbed, debearded2 1/4pounds zucchini, trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 7 cups)
• 1/2cup whipping cream1/4cup chopped fresh mint

DIRECTIONS Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, garlic, and thyme; sauté until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add 4 cups stock and wine; bring to boil. Add mussels; cover and cook until mussels open, about 5 minutes (discard any mussels that do not open). Using slotted spoon, transfer mussels to large bowl; cool slightly. Remove mussels from shells; cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Strain stock mixture and any accumulated mussel liquid into medium bowl; discard vegetables.

Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini; sauté until tender but not brown, about 20 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups strained stock. Bring to boil. Cool slightly. Puree zucchini soup in batches in blender until smooth. Transfer to large saucepan; mix in cream. Thin with more strained stock, if desired. Reserve any remaining stock for another use. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours. (Soup and mussels can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover separately; keep chilled.)

Divide zucchini soup among 6 bowls. Top each with mussels, dividing equally. Sprinkle with mint.

Tags: Chilled, Cream, Fresh, Mint, Mussels, Recipe, Soup, Zucchini