Delia Smith Lettuce Soup Food

OLD ENGLISH SUMMER SOUP

Steps:

• First of all, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter gently, then add the potatoes, spring onions, lettuce and cucumber. Stir everything round in the butter then, keeping the heat very low, put a lid on and let everything sweat for 10 minutes. Now pour in the stock, stir, add some salt and freshly milled black pepper and bring to the boil. Then reduce the heat to low, put the lid on and let it simmer gently for another 20 minutes. Leave the soup to cool a little, then puree the whole lot in a blender. If you need to do this in two batches, it is helpful to have a bowl to hand to put the first batch in. Finally, check the seasoning, gently re-heat the soup and serve it with the freshly snipped chives stirred in at the last moment or sprinkle a few into each bowl.

A SUMMER SOUP OF LETTUCE, CUCUMBER AND PEAS

Steps:

• First melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the chopped spring onions and let them cook gently for 5 minutes. Meanwhile chop the cucumber into chunks (no need to peel) and shred the lettuce. After the five minutes is up add the lettuce, cucumber and shelled peas to the pan. Give it all a stir, then cover and leave the vegetables to sweat gently for 10 minutes. Next pour in the stock, season with salt and pepper, give it another good stir and bring to the boil. Now reduce the heat to low, put the lid on and let it simmer gently for another 20 minutes. Leave it cool a little, then whiz it all in a blender (probably best in two batches). Pour the soup into a bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave it in the fridge to get absolutely cold. When you're ready to serve, check the seasoning, divide it among four chilled soup bowls, scatter the chives over each serving and swirl about a dessertspoon of cream into each one.

EASY LETTUCE SOUP

Steps:

• Cook onion in butter till soft.
• Add lettuce, then flour, then broth.
• Boil 1 minute, stirring.
• Pour in blender and add milk, salt& pepper, nutmeg, and paprika.
• Blend for a minute, then return to pot and reheat.

CREAM OF LETTUCE SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a deep pan.
• Add the onion, garlic, green pepper and tarragon.
• Saute 3-4 minutes.
• Add lettuce and watercress and cook, stirring, for a further 4-5 minutes.
• Stir in the stock and bring to the boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and put through a blender to puree.
• A handheld is ideal for doing this!
• Return to a clean pan, heat, season with salt and pepper and stir in milk.
• Bring to simmering point.
• Beat egg YOLKS in a bowl and gradually beat in the scalded cream until smooth.
• Stir into soup.
• HEAT, but do NOT BOIL!
• Serve garnished with finely chopped parsley and/or spring onions.