Babas Best Sorrel Soup Recipes

BARBARA KAFKA'S SORREL SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the sorrel, and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes, or until the sorrel has wilted. Add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. (The soup base can be made ahead to this point and refrigerated for as long as two days if the finished soup is to be served hot; if it is to be served cold, continue and then refrigerate. The finished soup improves after sitting for a day.)
• Beat the egg yolks and cream in a small bowl. Slowly ladle in some of the hot soup base, whisking constantly, until a third of it has been added. Whisking the remaining base in the saucepan, slowly pour in the egg-yolk mixture. Slowly bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until it is thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
• Remove from the heat. If serving hot, add salt to taste and serve immediately. If serving cold, refrigerate, whisking occasionally until it is fully chilled, to keep it smooth. If it is too thick, thin with a little milk. Add salt to taste before serving.

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S SORREL SOUP

Steps:

• Pick over the sorrel. Remove and discard any tough stems and blemished leaves. Rinse and pat dry. Pack the leaves closely and cut them crosswise into thin strips. Set aside.
• Heat the butter in a saucepan and add the leeks. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Do not brown.
• Add the potatoes to the saucepan and pour in the broth. Bring to the boil and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
• Strain the broth. Transfer the solids to the container of a food processor. Add about one cup of the cooking liquid and blend thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl and add the remaining liquid. Chill thoroughly.
• Add the sorrel to the chilled soup. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cream and refrigerate until ready to use.