Leek Pea Watercress Soup Recipes

SUMMER PEA AND WATERCRESS SOUP

Steps:

• In summer, a light pea soup feels totally right - the watercress in this recipe adds a mustardy bite.
• Heat a large saucepan and pour in a little olive oil. Throw in the chopped onion and celery. Turn the heat down and cook very gently with the lid on for 10 minutes, or until the onion has softened, but not browned.
• Add the potato and stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the potato is cooked. Next, drop in the peas and watercress and simmer for a further 5 minutes until the peas are cooked.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Whiz the soup with a hand blender, or in a liquidizer, until smooth. Taste, then season with salt and pepper.
• Serve the soup with a spoonful of soured cream swirled in, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some crusty bread and butter.
• Tip: You can use frozen peas - just simmer them in the stock a couple of minutes

WATERCRESS, LEEK AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Reserve a few watercress leaves for serving. Pick off the remaining leaves in bunches, discarding the thick stems. Roughly chop and reserve the watercress. 2. Heat the oil in a large heavybased saucepan. Add the leek, garlic and celery. Stir for 2 minutes to coat the vegetables in the oil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Do not allow the vegetables to brown. 3. Add the nutmeg, potato and stock. Slowly bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Stir in the chopped watercress. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. 4. Stir the milk and mint into the soup. Using an immersion blender fitted with the chopping blade, whizz for 1 minute, or until puréed to the desired consistency. 5. Gently reheat the soup and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the reserved watercress leaves.

WATERCRESS AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add leeks and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add broth, potato, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until potato is tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add 2 bunches watercress and cook until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables and a little liquid to a blender; puree until smooth and pour into a bowl. Puree remaining liquid in blender and return to pot. Stir in pureed vegetables and season soup with salt.
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Add remaining watercress and toss. Serve soup topped with 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.