Chilled Artichoke Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a heavy, large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and the garlic and stir. Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the artichokes, stock, salt, and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Using a handheld immersion blender, or in a blender in batches*, puree the soup. Add the 2 tablespoons mascarpone and blend again to combine. In a small bowl, stir the remaining 1/3 cup mascarpone to soften.
• Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Dollop the top of each of the soups with a spoonful of the softened mascarpone cheese and top the cheese with chives.
• * When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the leek and celery; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the thyme and garlic, then sprinkle in the flour. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are coated with flour, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the chicken broth, artichokes, bay leaf and lemon zest to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook until the vegetables are very tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and the spinach; cook until the spinach is wilted, about 4 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and lemon zest.
• Working in small batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree with the parsley and 1/4 cup creme fraiche until smooth. Return to the pot, season with salt and reheat.
• Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons creme fraiche and 2 teaspoons heavy cream. Ladle the soup into small glasses; top with the thinned creme fraiche and chives.

Steps:

• Heat chicken broth and water in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Squeeze lemon juice in and stir. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Heat oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add red bell pepper; grill until somewhat soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer red bell pepper to the stockpot; add tomatoes, artichokes, potato, carrot, celery, green onions, mushrooms, and garlic. Increase heat to high. Bring to a boil; cook until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in cream and wine.
• Fill blender halfway with the vegetable-broth mixture. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to puree. Pour into a separate pot. Repeat with remaining vegetable-broth mixture.
• Pour all the pureed mixture back into the original stockpot; add chicken and black pepper. Heat over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Steps:

• Drain artichoke hearts and puree in blender with chicken stock, seasonings, and lemon juice. Pour into saucepan and heat slowly. Cool. Add cream and mix well. Chill thoroughly. Serve in chilled bowls with one of the following garnishes: chopped parsley, chopped chives, sliced lemon or lime, or sour cream.