Saffron Vegetable Soup Recipes

PROVENçAL GARLIC AND SAFFRON SOUP

Steps:

• Put the peeled garlic cloves in a small saucepan with cold water to cover. Bring to a boil, drain, then repeat the blanching two times.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over moderate heat. Add the leeks and sauté, stirring often, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the blanched garlic, potato, stock, saffron, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook until the potato is soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor, in batches if necessary, and puree until smooth. Return the soup to a clean saucepan. Stir in the cream. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• For the garlic toasts: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush the baguette slices lightly with olive oil on both sides. Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Rub lightly with the halved garlic.
• For the poached eggs: Bring 3 inches of salted water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add the vinegar and reduce the heat to maintain the water just below a simmer. Crack 1 egg into a small ramekin or bowl, then gently slip it into the water. With a slotted spoon, gather the white around the yolk. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Cook gently until the whites are firm but the yolks remain soft, about 3 minutes. Transfer the eggs with a slotted spoon to paper towels or a clean dish towel to drain briefly.
• To serve, reheat the soup if necessary. Put a toast in the bottom of each soup bowl. Top with a poached egg, then ladle the soup around it. Garnish with a sprinkle of chives and a dash of piment d'Espelette. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay or another white wine with lush texture.

PROVENCAL VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot, add the onions, and saute over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add the leeks, potatoes, carrots, salt, and pepper and saute over medium heat for another 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and saffron, bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender. Add the haricots verts and spaghetti, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 more minutes.
• To serve, whisk 1/4 cup of the pistou into the hot soup, then season to taste. Depending on the saltiness of your chicken stock, you may need to add up to another tablespoon of salt. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and more pistou.
• Pistou:
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 24 large basil leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• Place the garlic, tomato paste, basil, and Parmesan in the bowl of a food processor and puree. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil down the feed tube to make a paste. Pack into a container, pour a film of olive oil on top, and close the lid.
• Yield: 1 cup

SAFFRON SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a heavy-bottom soup kettle. Add onions, garlic and saffron and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until onions are softened. Do not let onions brown.
• Bring chicken stock to a boil. Add bread crumbs to onions and stir to mix thoroughly. Add chicken stock and stir again. Bring soup to a boil and immediately lower heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Puree soup in a blender, food processor or fine-mesh food mill. Strain soup, discarding solids. Return to rinsed-out soup kettle. Add cream and lemon juice. Mix well and taste, adding salt and pepper if desired. May be served immediately, or chilled and served as a summer soup.

SAFFRON VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a pot, melt butter. Add leeks, carrot, celery and onion and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 8 minutes.
• Add potato, garlic, vegetable stock, saffron, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potato is almost tender, 15 minutes.
• Stir in beans and peas. Simmer until potato is tender and beans and peas are tender-crisp.
• Stir in cream and adjust seasoning. Simmer, stirring, until steaming, about 1 minute.