Spring Green Soup Recipes

Steps:

• For the soup: In a small food processor, puree 1/4 cup of the butter beans until smooth. Set aside.
• Place a heavy saucepan or stockpot over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the leeks and garlic and sweat until translucent and softened, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the stock, pasta, pearl onions, tomatoes and remaining butter beans. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the pasta is cooked, about 5 minutes. Check the seasoning. Add the haricot vert and cook for another 3 minutes. Stir in the bean puree, spinach, peas and parsley.
• For serving: Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with a small spoonful of pesto, some radishes, cilantro and scallions, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Steps:

• Halve cucumber lengthwise; cut one half into eighths and the other into 1/4- inch dice. Set aside. Cut asparagus spears into 2-inch lengths. Puree in a blender with 1/2 cup cold water until smooth.
• Add spinach, scallions, cucumber eighths, and another 1/2 cup water. Blend until thoroughly pureed. Add avocado, mint leaves, and lemon juice; puree until smooth, adding remaining water a little at a time until soup is desired consistency. Add salt, and season with pepper. Scrape down sides of blender with a rubber spatula, and puree 5 seconds more.
• Cut sorrel into fine strips, if using. Divide soup among four bowls; garnish each with diced cucumber, sorrel, and a mint sprig. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, put the chard, dandelion greens, butter, scallions, garlic and chili pepper and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until wilted. Add the chicken broth, fennel, potatoes, sugar, salt and white pepper; cover and simmer 45 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly. Add the mint, milk and yogurt and puree in a food processor or blender. Serve warm, garnished with a heavy sprinkle of shredded feta and additional yogurt and mint if desired.

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add favas and return to a boil. Drain, then run under cold water to stop cooking. Peel off and discard skins (you should have about 1 cup favas).
• In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add shallot, garlic, celery, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallot is translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in broth, 2 cups water, turnips, and beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until turnips are almost tender, about 15 minutes. Add favas, English peas, and snow and snap peas. Simmer until bright green and tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in watercress until wilted, about 10 seconds; season with salt and pepper. Serve, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with a few celery leaves and microgreens.

Steps:

• Put the spring onions, potato and garlic into a large pan. Pour over the vegetable stock and bring to the boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 mins with a lid on or until the potato is soft enough to mash with the back of a spoon.
• Add the peas and bring back up to a simmer. Scoop out around 4 tbsp of the peas and set aside for the garnish.
• Stir the spinach and yogurt into the pan, then carefully pour the whole mixture into a blender or use a stick blender to blitz it until it's very smooth. Season to taste with black pepper.
• Ladle into bowls, then add some of the reserved cooked peas and scatter over your favourite soft herbs or cress. Serve with crusty bread, if you like.