Potato Leek And Watercress Soup With Bay Scallops Recipes

WATERCRESS AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add leeks and season with salt and pepper. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally, 4 to 6 minutes. Add broth, potato, and the water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until potato is tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add two-thirds of the watercress and cook until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Working in batches, purée soup until smooth in a blender, being careful not to fill jar more than halfway each time. Return to pan and season soup with salt (reheat over medium if necessary).
• In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Add remaining watercress and toss. Serve soup topped with watercress.
• about watercress
• Watercress is a dark, leafy green with thick stems and a peppery taste that mellows once it's cooked. Look for bunches with bright, glossy green leaves that haven't begun to wilt. Wrap in paper towels and refrigerate in a plastic bag up to 3 days. Always wash watercress just before using-place in a colander, and rinse well with cold water. Dry thoroughly and trim off thick stems.
• nutrition information
• (Per Serving)
• Calories: 161
• Fat: 7.2g (1.2g Saturated Fat)
• Protein: 5.8g
• Carbohydrates: 20.5g
• Fiber: 2.2g

CREAM OF WATERCRESS SOUP WITH PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leeks and potatoes; sauté until leeks are tender, about 4 minutes. Add chicken broth. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chopped watercress. Cover; let stand until watercress wilts, about 5 minutes.
• Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Return soup to saucepan. Whisk in sour cream. Thin soup with milk to desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate.) Stir soup over low heat just until heated through (do not boil).
• Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter with oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops to skillet and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Place 1 scallop atop soup in each bowl. Garnish with watercress sprigs and serve.

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.