A fool proof Pressure Cooker Zucchini Basil Soup recipe which makes for a simple meal and is for all seasons. It's really convenient to make and is perfect for a weeknight dinner after a long day of work.
Can somebody stop time for a bit so that I can be in Assam for just a little longer? Maybe fly in Denver too Ugghh you can't blame a girl for wanting it all! It's almost time to go back and this trip to Assam has been fabulous. If you've been following me along on Snapchat (my_foodstory) you'd know about all the crazy stuff I've been up to and all the beautiful places I've seen and of course all the amazing food I've eaten!
While I've been gone, my amazing food blogger friends have chipped in with their creations to make sure we keep bringing you recipes so that you can keep cooking! I've known Amishi from Naive Cooks for a while now and I absolutely love her pictures and recipes, which look stunning but are super simple to make. When I asked if she'd like to do a guest post on the blog, she immediately agreed and sent me this delicious pressure cooker zucchini basil soup. Doesn't it look like just the thing for the sultry monsoon? Imagine a warm cup of this soup in the evenings when it becomes all moody and chilly. Here's what Amishi had to say about it.
Thank you Richa for letting me share this awesome space! I have always loved your creativity with food and stunning pictures!
A simple soup for all seasons – fresh zucchinis, basil and just a few more ingredients are all that you need to make this delightfully easy soup loved by all! I have a soft spot for soups. These days with zucchini overflowing in the market, I ended up buying a big bag of them at my farmer's market. You know how charming these farmers markets be?! I always end up getting way more stuff than I actually need for the two of us!
So this soup was my attempt to use up all the extra zucchini sitting in my fridge! This is in true sense a summer soup. Fresh zucchinis, fresh basil cooked together with simple spices and then finished with yogurt, sour cream and parmesan!
I got inspired by Ina Garten's Zucchini Soup and ended up making my own version in a PRESSURE COOKER! Yes friends this is a simple, fool proof pressure cooker soup that just needs throwing the ingredients, cooking and then just finishing it off with cream and parmesan! How simple can that be for a quick wholesome lunch or delicious dinner when paired with some grilled meat or a sandwich!
What would I do without such amazing friends! If you loved this recipe, follow Amishi on Pinterest and check out her blog. I'm in love with her One Pot Green Goddess Mac & Cheese and the Eggless Wholewheat Oats and Dates Cake.
More Creamy Healthy Soups:
- Roasted Tomato Pesto Soup
- Healthy Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
- Creamy Vegetable Soup
- Barley Chicken Fall Soup
Pressure Cooker Zucchini Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- ¾ cup Onion chopped finely
- 4 cloves Garlic chopped finely
- 2 zucchinis large, about ½ kg, chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes as per your taste
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2.5 - 3 cups Water
- ½ cup Basil fresh leaves, lightly packed, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Sour Cream
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese shredded for sprinkling
Instructions
- If cooking in pressure cooker, warm oil. Once oil is heated add onion and garlic and saute until softened.
- To it add zucchini, salt, black pepper, red chili flakes, water and basil leaves. Close the lid and then let it whistle for 3-4 times. Let it cool down. Once all the pressure has released, open the pressure cooker lid.
- Using a hand blender, blend until smooth. If it's too thick for your liking, add little water and mix. Heat it and once hot enough stir sour cream and yogurt. Taste and adjust spices. Serve sprinkled with parmesan and some lime juice (optional).
Notes
- In case you don't have a pressure cooker, just follow all the steps until before closing the lid and instead let the soup simmer until zucchini is softened. Then follow the rest of the recipe as is.
Reva says
Recipe was delicious, definitely should have used no more than 1/2 teaspoon of Red pepper, lips were on fire but great flavor
Richa says
We like our food extra hot, but you can adjust the heat the next time!
Michelle says
Just wondering if you have tried freezing this soup maybe before adding the sour cream, yogurt, and Parmesan.
Richa says
Hey Michelle, I've never tried freezing the soup but it should work.
Laura says
This unfortunately lost me on the step that required a hand blender. I thought that this was supposed to be easy/beginner friendly and now it’s calling for more advanced cooking appliances in addition to this fairly expensive pot?! I live in a small apartment in SoCal and have a toaster oven, a microwave, a coffeemaker, and a Cosori pot. Additionally I have two nice Cutco knives, two cutting boards, a veggie brush, a veggie peeler, a meat thermometer, an egg [white] separater, a manual cheese grater, and that’s it. No upright blender, no food processor, no Kitchen Aide fancy bowl mixer in ruby red, oh, I do have a rolling pin. Can I just hand stir the heck out of it or is this mixing an absolute must for a successful outcome? I’ll be back when my kitchen has matured a bit more for sure.
Richa says
I wouldn't call a blender an advanced cooking appliance. This is a creamy soup that is pureed, and if thats what you want to try, a blender is required. Maybe you can borrow one from a neighbour?
laura says
I've been laughing so hard at this reply! So you want to make a soup without a blender? Perhaps you also want to make some bread to go with it without an oven? Please don't take my reponse harsly, you've just made my day 😀
Spencer says
This recipe is perfect for a biginner pressure cooker user like me. It looks delicious! BTW, I don't know if you noticed but by clicking the "Print Recipe", it changes the serving size to 10653 servings. It was so funny to see that I will need 10653 teaspoons of olive oil. 😀
Richa says
Damn! I'm so sorry about that. Fixing that right away, and thanks for letting me know. I hope you try this soup - it's a favourite!
K says
Should I peel the skin from the zucchini?
richagupta says
You could if you want to, but I leave the skin on for extra fiber.
Layne says
I have a Fagor 6ct. In your instructions, you say to, "let it whistle for 3-4 min"; is that just using a Low Pressure setting? Also, do I Quick-Release the pressure or let it release naturally? The recipe looks amazing and I can't wait to try it!
Thank you!!!
Layne
richagupta says
Hey Layne, to make this in an electric pressure cooker, bring the soup to high pressure for 10 minutes and then let the steam release naturally. I hope you try it!
Peter says
I don’t understand the term “let it whistle”. What does it mean? Why not say 10 minutes on high, natural release. Recipe sounds great!
Mandrew says
You seem to be missing the directions part of the recipe.
richagupta says
Sorry about that, I've added the instructions.
E says
Where are the instructions?
richagupta says
Sorry, just added them.