Watercress Buttermilk Cooler Recipes

Steps:

• Melt butter in a stockpot over medium-low heat. Add leeks, and cook, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Add potatoes, stock, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Cool completely; stir in 2 cups watercress.
• Working in batches, puree soup in a blender until smooth. Transfer pureed soup to a large bowl. Season with salt and white pepper. Stir in half-and-half, if using; chill at least 1 hour. Add buttermilk just before serving. Adjust seasoning as needed. If necessary, thin the soup with a bit more chicken stock or water to achieve desired consistency. Garnish with remaining cup watercress leaves.

Steps:

• Put the beets into a steamer basket over a large pot of boiling water. Cover and steam for about 45 minutes or until beets are tender. Drain and let cool until you can handle them. Cut the ends off of the beets and peel them (the peel should rub off easily with a little help from a paring knife here and there). Cut the beets into large dice.
• Toast the walnuts in a dry saute pan over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or until fragrant, and set aside.
• Put the watercress, goat cheese, buttermilk, vinegar and salt into a food processor and process until smooth and creamy.
• Put the beets on a serving dish, drizzle the watercress sauce on top and sprinkle with walnuts.

Steps:

• Make dressing:
• Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl with salt and pepper to taste.
• Make salad:
• Soak onion in 1 cup cold water 10 minutes, then drain well in a sieve.
• Toss lettuce, watercress, and cucumber together in a bowl and divide among 6 plates. Spoon dressing over, then sprinkle salads with onion.