Spring Green Soup Food

SPRING GREEN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• For the soup: In a small food processor, puree 1/4 cup of the butter beans until smooth. Set aside.
• Place a heavy saucepan or stockpot over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the leeks and garlic and sweat until translucent and softened, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the stock, pasta, pearl onions, tomatoes and remaining butter beans. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the pasta is cooked, about 5 minutes. Check the seasoning. Add the haricot vert and cook for another 3 minutes. Stir in the bean puree, spinach, peas and parsley.
• For serving: Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with a small spoonful of pesto, some radishes, cilantro and scallions, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

SPRING PEA SOUP

Steps:

• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the scallions are tender, 2 to 3 minutes, then add the peas, stock and 1 cup of water. Bring to boil, then simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes to allow the peas to soften further.
• Using a jar blender, carefully puree the soup until smooth (see Cook's Note). Pour the soup back into the pot, then add the sour cream and honey, and gently warm for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Garnish the bottom of each serving bowl with the fresh pea slices and basil leaves. Ladle the soup on top and serve.

SPRING GREEN SOUP

Steps:

• Halve cucumber lengthwise; cut one half into eighths and the other into 1/4- inch dice. Set aside. Cut asparagus spears into 2-inch lengths. Puree in a blender with 1/2 cup cold water until smooth.
• Add spinach, scallions, cucumber eighths, and another 1/2 cup water. Blend until thoroughly pureed. Add avocado, mint leaves, and lemon juice; puree until smooth, adding remaining water a little at a time until soup is desired consistency. Add salt, and season with pepper. Scrape down sides of blender with a rubber spatula, and puree 5 seconds more.
• Cut sorrel into fine strips, if using. Divide soup among four bowls; garnish each with diced cucumber, sorrel, and a mint sprig. Serve immediately.

SPRING GREENS & GAMMON SOUP

Steps:

• Put the gammon in a large pan with the bay leaves, onions and about 1.5 litres of cold water or enough to cover. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 1½ hrs.
• Drain the gammon, reserving the cooking liquid. When the gammon is cool enough to handle, trim away the skin, and shred the meat.
• Return meat to the pan with the reserved cooking liquid, paprika and potatoes. Cover and simmer for 20 mins or until the potatoes are cooked.
• While the potatoes are cooking, trim away the stalky bit from the greens and finely shred the leaf. Stir the greens and beans into the stock and continue to cook for about 10 mins until cooked. Season to taste and serve ladled straight from the pan.

SPRING GREEN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, put the chard, dandelion greens, butter, scallions, garlic and chili pepper and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until wilted. Add the chicken broth, fennel, potatoes, sugar, salt and white pepper; cover and simmer 45 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly. Add the mint, milk and yogurt and puree in a food processor or blender. Serve warm, garnished with a heavy sprinkle of shredded feta and additional yogurt and mint if desired.

SPRING GREEN LIMA BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a soup pot or Dutch oven, place the broth and water over high heat. Add the lima beans and cover.
• Peel and chop the onion and add it to the pot. Add the salt, pepper and garlic.
• Keep the pot covered until the mixture comes to a boil. Then uncover and stir. Cover the pot and cook on medium-high, keeping a steady boil for 10 minutes, or until the beans are tender.
• Remove the soup from the stove. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until it is smooth (or you can use a potato masher to do this). Place the pot over medium heat.
• In a small jar that has a lid, add the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cool tap water, and shake to mix well. Drizzle the cornstarch mixture into the soup, and stir constantly until the soup thickens, about 2 minutes.
• Serve immediately, garnished with bacon bits, sour cream and parsley, if desired.