Watercress And Basil Soup Food

WATERCRESS SOUP

Steps:

• Season and garnish before serving: Add salt to taste and then add the black pepper. You can either stir the sour cream into the whole batch of soup, or serve a tablespoon of it in the center of each person's bowl.

WATERCRESS AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the potato, garlic, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, until the potatoes are well coated, 2 to 3 minutes more. Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer.
• Simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer. Stir in the watercress and cook 5 minutes more. Remove from the heat, discard the thyme and let cool at least 5 minutes. Carefully puree until smooth with a handheld immersion blender or in 2 to 3 batches in a blender (do not fill the blender more than halfway full per batch).
• Stir in the cream and reheat the soup if necessary, adjusting the consistency and seasoning with additional water, salt and pepper.
• Serve hot sprinkled with almonds and chives.

WATERCRESS AND BASIL SOUP

Steps:

• Place a soup pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and when it shimmers, add scallions and potato. Sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add broth and 3 cups water, and bring to a simmer. Simmer until potato is very soft, about 10 minutes. Add watercress and basil, and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
• Transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender, and purée the soup until smooth. (If using an immersion blender, begin puréeing at low speed, to avoid spattering hot soup.) If the soup is too thick, add a little broth or water as desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. To serve, ladle equal portions into bowls, and garnish each bowl with a sprinkling of olive oil.

WATERCRESS & CELERIAC SOUP WITH GOAT'S CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Gently cook the leeks in the butter and olive oil until soft but not coloured. Add the celeriac and stock, bring to the boil and simmer until the celeriac is soft. Add the bags of watercress and blend until smooth, then season. Cool. Will freeze for up to 3 months.
• To serve, defrost the soup in the fridge overnight, then tip into a saucepan and reheat. Top each toasted baguette slice with some goat's cheese, then add a slice to each bowl with a sprig of watercress.

LEEK, PEA & WATERCRESS SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic and fry for 7-10 mins or until softened and translucent.
• Pour in the hot stock and simmer for 5-10 mins. Stir through the watercress, reserving a few leaves for garnish, then the peas, and cook for 5 mins until wilted. Use a hand blender or processor and whizz until smooth. Stir through the lemon juice and zest, then season to taste. Stir through half the parsley. Ladle into bowls and top with the remaining parsley, reserved watercress and a drizzle of olive oil. Swirl through some crème fraîche, then serve with crusty bread, if you like.