Potage St Cloud Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with the olive oil in a 14-inch skillet or 5 quart pot, preferably nonstick, over high heat. As soon as the butter begins to sizzle, add all the vegetables, seasoning mix, and garlic. Stir well, then cover and cook, uncovered to stir and scrape the bottom of the pan frequently, for 4 minutes. You will see that the vegetables color is a little brighter and their texture is somewhat more tender, and the fragrance is crisp and earthy. Continue to cook, still uncovering to stir and scrape, until the vegetables begin to brown, about 4 minutes longer. Now the fennel will be wilted, transparent and tender, and the bottom of the pan will be dry. At this point the vegetables are partially cooked, but still retain some of their crunch. Add the tomato sauce, stir, re-cover and cook, uncovering every 2 or 3 minutes to stir, scrape and check to be sure the mixture is not going to scorch. Do this just until the vegetables are pasty and thickly coated with sauce, and the liquid has evaporated, about 7 to 8 minutes. If you feel that there might be a risk of over-browning, then lower the heat slightly. Add the stock, brown sugar, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir very well and cook just until the butter is thoroughly melted into the sauce and the vegetables are tender, except for the celery which should still have a little crunch, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve over hot pasta.

Steps:

• Bring meat and water to a boil and cook 10 minutes; take meat out and cut up small; put back in water with broth, bread crumbs, pepper, and saffron. Simmer 30 minutes over low flame, being careful that it does not stick. Mix in remaining ingredients; cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Ladle into pewter serving bowls and serve warm.
• Original Recipe for Potage from Meat:
• Take lean meat and let it boil, then cut it up finely, and cook it again for 30 minutes in rich juice, having first added bread crumbs. Add a little pepper and saffron.
• When it has cooled a little, add beaten eggs, grated cheese, parsley, marjoram, and finely chopped mint with a little vinegar. Blend them all together in a pot, stirring them slowly with a spoon so that they do not form a ball. The same may be done with livers and lungs.

Steps:

• Make the croutons:
• In a bowl drizzle the bread cubes with the butter, tossing them to coat them well, and in a shallow baking dish bake them in a preheated 350°F. oven, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until the croutons are golden and crisp. Season the croutons with salt. The croutons may be made 1 day in advance and kept in an airtight container.
• Make the soup:
• In a large saucepan cook the leeks in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until they are softened, add the broth and 2 cups water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the peas and the lettuce and simmer the mixture, covered partially, for 10 minutes, or until the peas are tender. Stir in the mint and in a blender or food processor purée the soup in batches. The soup may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Return the soup to the pan, season it with salt and pepper, and reheat it over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is hot.
• In a small bowl beat the cream until it is thickened slightly but still pourable and season it with salt. Ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle drops of the cream on each serving, and draw a skewer or knife through the drops, forming decorative patterns. Serve the soup with the croutons.