Watercress And Basil Soup Recipes

WATERCRESS SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil and garlic, cook until sizzling and fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in potato and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook 1 minute.
• Add stock and 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in watercress. Return to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among soup bowls and squeeze a lemon wedge into each bowl. Serve immediately.

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 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 & 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.