Watercress Soup With Whiskey Cream Recipes

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan with olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and the watercress stems only and saute until wilted, about 10 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock and potatoes and season well with salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare an ice water bath by partially filling your largest mixing bowl with ice cubes and water.
• In batches to avoid overfilling and splattering, ladle the soup into a blender or food processor, adding some of the creme fraiche and watercress leaves with each batch and reserving about 2 dozen whole leaves for a garnish. Puree each batch and transfer to a fine-meshed strainer held over a large mixing bowl that fits inside the ice water bath, using a rubber spatula to press the puree through the strainer. Taste the puree, adjust the seasonings, if necessary, with more salt and pepper, and stir in the lemon juice.
• Place the bowl of soup inside the ice water bath and chill it until cool, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Remove the bowl of soup from the ice water bath, dry its underside, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
• Before serving, taste the soup. If it is too thick, thin it with a little cold milk, chicken stock, or water, to a thick, creamy consistency. Adjust the seasonings, if necessary. Ladle into chilled bowls and decoratively garnish each serving with a few of the reserved watercress leaves.

Steps:

• When measuring the watercress leaves and stems, pack them down in the measuring cup.
• Simmer leeks, potatoes, water and salt together, partially covered, 40-50 minutes until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in watercress and simmer 5 minutes.
• While the watercress is simmering, you can prepare the following optional garnish if you wish: a small handful of watercress leaves boiled 30 seconds, rinsed in cold water and drained.
• Mash the vegetables in the soup with a fork, or puree in blender. Correct seasoning.
• Off heat and just before serving, stir in cream or butter by spoonfuls. Decorate with the optional watercress leaves.

Steps:

• To make the soup base: Melt the butter in a 6-quart stockpot over medium heat. Stir in the leeks, onion and salt. Cover and cook over low heat until the vegetables are soft but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and cream. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil, then simmer on low, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Purée the soup in a blender or food processor or with a hand-held immersion blender until emulsified and smooth. Return the mixture to the stockpot and set over medium-high heat. Bring to a gentle boil. Using a slotted spoon, skim off any impurities that rise to the surface. Set aside or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
• To finish the soup: Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Bring 4 quarts water to a boil. Add the coarse sea salt and watercress. Blanch until wilted and soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Immediately drain the watercress, then plunge into the ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again; do not squeeze out all the water. Purée the watercress in a food processor, then place it in a fine-meshed sieve and press out any remaining liquid. Discard the liquid. Set the purée aside.
• When ready to serve, reheat the soup base over low heat. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Stir in the lemon juice and season to taste with sea salt and white pepper. Just before serving, add the watercress purée to the warmed soup and stir until blended. Ladle the soup into shallow soup bowls. Place a scoop of whipped cream in the center of each bowl and top with a small spoonful of caviar.

Steps:

• Melt butter and sauté onion until transparent.
• Add potato, watercress, milk and stock.
• Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes
• Blend in a processor.
• Add cream and seasoning. Heat if needed.