Water Gardeners Vegetable Soup

Water-Gardeners’ Vegetable Soup is a delightful and nutritious dish that celebrates the flavors of fresh vegetables. This vibrant soup combines the earthy notes of Savoy cabbage, the subtle sweetness of leeks, and the delicate flavors of petits pois and Boston lettuce. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the bounty of a vegetable garden or savor the freshness of seasonal produce.

Water-Gardeners’ Vegetable Soup is best enjoyed hot and fresh. Its combination of tender vegetables, aromatic broth, and hearty bread creates a satisfying and comforting meal. Serve it as a light lunch or dinner accompanied by a side salad or a crusty baguette.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Savoy cabbage
• 4 leeks, white part only, well washed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 pound potatoes, diced small
• 1 pound petits pois, fresh or frozen
• 1 head Boston lettuce
• 4 thick slices whole-grain bread, toasted

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Core the cabbage, remove the rib from each leaf, and shred the leaves. Slice the leeks.
2. In a kettle, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and cook the cabbage and leeks for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the chicken stock and bring it to a boil.
4. Add the diced potatoes and petits pois to the kettle. Simmer for about 20 minutes, ensuring that the potatoes remain firm.
5. Taste the soup as it cooks to adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
6. Skim out the vegetables from the broth to preserve their color.
7. Continue simmering the broth to concentrate its flavors.
8. Meanwhile, core the Boston lettuce and remove the ribs. In a skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and cook the lettuce until it wilts, which takes about 30 seconds.
9. One minute before serving, add the wilted lettuce to the soup pot and return the other vegetables to reheat.
10. Place the thick slices of toasted whole-grain bread at the bottom of a soup tureen.
11. Pour the soup over the bread.
12. Serve the Water-Gardeners’ Vegetable Soup hot and enjoy.

Experience the flavors of nature’s bounty with this nourishing and flavorful soup. The Water-Gardeners’ Vegetable Soup is a celebration of vegetables at their finest, providing a comforting and healthy meal that will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied. Serve it as a light lunch or dinner accompanied by a side salad or a crusty baguette.