Lovage Soda Recipes

LOVAGE SODA

Steps:

• Place lovage leaves and lemon juice in a large nonreactive bowl and gently smash with the end of a thick wooden spoon or wooden rolling pin until leaves begin to bruise. Add sugar and salt and continue muddling to release the herb's essential oils, about 30 seconds.
• Bring the water to a boil. Stir lovage mixture into boiling water, remove from heat, and let infuse 20 minutes.
• Pour syrup through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids, then refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes. Fill glasses with ice, add 3 tablespoons syrup to each, and top off each with 3/4 cup seltzer. Garnish drinks with lovage straws and serve immediately.

OLD FASHIONED LOVAGE AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute the chopped onion in olive oil until translucent; then add the cubed potatoes and mix together.
• Add the stock and milk, simmering until the potatoes are nearly tender.
• When potatoes are soft,add the lovage and liquidise the soup, adding further stock or milk if a thinner consistency is required.
• Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Return to the saucepan and heat through gently - do NOT allow the soup to boil.
• Serve hot and garnish with the remaining lovage and crusty bread and butter or bread rolls.
• This travels very well in a thermos flask for a warming picnic soup.

PROSECCO AND LOVAGE COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Combine sugar and a cup of water in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar dissolves, then turn off heat. Add lovage leaves and let syrup infuse for 3 hours. Strain, discarding lovage.
• Measure 2 teaspoons syrup (or more to taste) into each of 8 Champagne flutes or other glasses. Top with prosecco and garnish with lime wedges. Leftover syrup is nice tossed with plums.

FRESH PEA & LOVAGE SOUP

Steps:

• Shell the peas, leaving 8 of the best-looking ones whole. Melt half the butter in a large pan, then gently cook the spring onions and garlic with the lid on for 5 mins, without colouring. Add the stock, bring to the boil, then add the peas and whole pods and simmer for 2-3 mins until tender.
• Fish out the whole pods and refresh under cold water. Tip in the crème fraîche, then the lovage or mint, and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Season to taste. Leave to cool, then chill in the fridge if serving cold.
• If you're eating the soup hot, bring to a gentle simmer but don't boil. To serve, ladle into bowls, decorate each with a whole, split pea pod and serve with a stack of toasted olive bread on the side (toast your bread on the barbecue).