Summer recipe

I found this recipe for sweet corn soup I think about 4 years ago when we were in our first tiny apartment kitchen. It's quite delicious and perfect for a summer day that isn't too hot. It was boiling here this weekend and in the 90s, but today it's back down to the 70s, so I decided it would be a good time to whip this up for dinner.

From Better Homes and Gardens

Servings: Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Prep: 30 mins

Total: 40 mins

Ingredients

12 fresh ears of corn

1 Tbsp. cooking oil

1 small apple, peeled and chopped (about 2/3 cup)

1 small carrot, chopped (about 1/3 cup)

1 small onion, chopped (about 1/3 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced

2 14-oz. cans reduced-sodium chicken broth

Salt and ground black pepper

2 limes

2 to 3 Tbsp. snipped fresh thyme or parsley

2 Tbsp. butter, cut into 6 to 8 pieces and softened (optional)

Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Directions

1. Remove husks from corn. Scrub corn with a stiff brush to remove silk; rinse. Cut kernels from cobs (should have about 6 cups). In a 4-quart Dutch oven bring 2 quarts lightly salted water to boiling. Add corn; return to boiling. Cook, uncovered, for 1-1/2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain well; set aside.

2. In a large saucepan heat oil over medium heat. Add apple, carrot, onion, and garlic; cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender but not brown. Add chicken broth. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook 2 minutes more.

3. Cool vegetable mixture slightly, about 10 minutes. Add half the cooked corn (about 2-1/2 cups). Place vegetable mixture, one-third at a time, in blender jar or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until nearly smooth; return to large saucepan; add remaining corn; heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Peel and section limes; finely chop sections. Combine lime sections and thyme. To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top with a pat of butter. Sprinkle with lime-herb mixture. Pass hot pepper sauce. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

And some more pictures from our little potted garden.