… yesterday it was Spring… you don’t have to take my word for it but all the signs were there… the vast bank daffodils at the front of the cottage, generously planted by a previous owner, are opening in all their golden, fried egg glory… the sun (remember him…?) shone all day… it was actually hot… the little birds are just so playful that their cacophony of song is almost too much to bare and The Viking and I finally spent a full eight hours in the garden… lots of tidying… seeding… moving stuff around… all glorious…
… today it was cold and grey and quite dull… but I had an idea to bring back a little taste of that wonderful Spring day… it’s a very simple soup that took all of 20 minutes to create but it’s that simplicity which makes this soup so phenomenally tasty… I promise that this will not only lift your spirits but it will make you feel a little healthier too…
green vegetable soup
1 medium onion – finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic – finely sliced
a large pinch of fresh thyme
1 tsp fennel seeds
2 bunches of watercress (or one of those salad packs)
a handful of fine green beans – chopped
2 stalks of celery – finely chopped (with leaves if possible)
a quarter savoy cabbage or spring greens – chopped
a cup of frozen garden peas
2 pints of good quality vegetable stock
– melt some butter and a little olive oil in a heavy soup pan
– add the onion, celery, garlic, thyme and fennel seeds and saute gently on a medium heat until the veg are beginning to soften and turn translucent
– add the rest of the veg, cover the pot and sweat the veg for 5 mins
– now add the stock and simmer for 15 mins then serve piping hot!
and here’s a little reminder to watch me on TV… this Thursday… Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard – Channel 4 at 12:30pm…
…eat and of course, enjoy!
Happy Spring to you and the Viking. We still suspect that Mother Nature will nail us before the winter is finally over. Bear in mind that we have had exactly one inch of snow this year. May you continue to enjoy your garden and the sunny warmth.
Your soup looks to fresh, a lovely taste of spring.
Even before I started reading your post, I thought: That looks like a bowl of spring!
Watching the news just now, it seems that drought is going to be the biggest problem for us gardeners this year. Have you ever had soup made with Agave cactus??? You may have to acquire a taste for it!
This looks very fresh and springlike. Delicious!
I'd call this spring green soup–love those tender greens that pop out to start things rolling for the lushness of summer. Your soup looks delicious!
Best,
Bonnie
Definitely spring in a bowl. This looks gorgeous and delicious . . . it's so easy being “green”!
What a lovely, springy soup. Looking forward to your starring role on Thursday. Jude x
You should have saved this green soup for St. Patrick's Day. What a healthy bowl of goodness. I could eat soup every day, but my husband is a meat and potato type guy. Don't get me wrong , he eats everything I cook, but would prefer soup once a week. I really like the convenience of left over soup.
I'm very envious of your weather! We had 12 inches of snow dumped on us on March 1 it all melted last Thursday through today (thank God)as temps reached 70 degrees! No sign of spring flowers yet, can't wait to get into the yard and garden.
Your soup looks amazing! I'll bet it was delicious!
Looks fresh and delicious!
The puzzle for me is why, when I was a young brat, vegetables were not even food in my eyes – and yet now they are everything I need and want.
Just being able to sit on a bench with the sun in my face and to hear the birds chirping, ah bliss. I love spring. It's here!!!!
Perfect soup for St.Patrick's Day.
I love those green soups in the spring: fresh and delightful! I wish I could see you on TV, will you post a link for on-line view?
What a great bowl of Spring soup-just the tonic after the winter glums…
There's nothing better than a home made soup. This looks delicious, that mix of greenery makes for a great spring dish. GG
Green is my favourite colour and I could scarf this in one slurp, a bowl of spring indeed and JUST so lovely!
Karen
Lovely soup – definitely a spring dish. I'm enjoying cabbage a lot lately – I was thinking that it was a sign of old age but maybe it's a sign of spring instead. I'm all set to enjoy Cake Boy v The Persuader. (That could be a good name for a band, now I think about it).
Great! :)) healthy soup….but wooooooah……you're going to be on the telly?? Quick where's my skyplus
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