Spring Greens 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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.

Steps:

• Put the gammon in a large pan with the bay leaves, onions and about 1.5 litres of cold water or enough to cover. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 1½ hrs.
• Drain the gammon, reserving the cooking liquid. When the gammon is cool enough to handle, trim away the skin, and shred the meat.
• Return meat to the pan with the reserved cooking liquid, paprika and potatoes. Cover and simmer for 20 mins or until the potatoes are cooked.
• While the potatoes are cooking, trim away the stalky bit from the greens and finely shred the leaf. Stir the greens and beans into the stock and continue to cook for about 10 mins until cooked. Season to taste and serve ladled straight from the pan.