Watercress & Spinach Soup with Cheesy Thyme Crisps
Antioxidant-rich watercress has a crisp and peppery flavor that is a refreshing addition to this delicious soup.
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Ingredients
- 1 1-lb bag chopped frozen spinach (or 1 lb fresh spinach, roughly chopped)
- 8 oz watercress
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 yellow onions, finely chopped
- 1¼ tsp kosher salt (or 1 tsp fine sea salt), divided + additional to taste
- 3 large cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (TRY: Pacific Foods Organic Vegetable Broth Low Sodium)
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 3 tbsp cold organic unsalted butter
- 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper + additional to taste
- Crème fraîche, for serving, optional
Cheesy thyme crisps (optional)
- 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 tbsp white whole-wheat flour, sifted
- 3/4 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme
- Pinch ground black pepper
Preparation
- Prepare thyme crisps (if making): Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, toss all crisp ingredients. Place 6 1-tbsp mounds of mixture, evenly spaced apart, on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Pat the mounds, using your fingers, into 3½- to 4-inch rounds.
- Bake for 8 minutes until crisps are light brown. Set aside to cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then use a metal spatula to transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Using a cool baking sheet, repeat to cook remaining crisps.
- Meanwhile, fill a small pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add spinach and cook until thawed, about 2 minutes. Add watercress and continue to cook just 2 minutes more. Drain and cool quickly under cold running water. Continue to drain in strainer, squeezing out as much water from spinach and watercress as possible. (NOTE: If using fresh spinach instead of frozen, blanch for only 2 minutes at the same time as watercress.)
- In a large saucepan on medium-low, heat oil. Add onion and 1/4 tsp salt and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and beginning to turn golden. Add garlic, stir, and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add broth, increase heat to high and bring to a simmer; remove from heat.
- To a blender, add spinach, watercress, mint and stock mixture. Blend until smooth. Add butter, lemon juice, pepper and remaining 1 tsp salt; continue to blend until fully incorporated. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Serve soup in individual bowls. If using, add a dollop of crème fraîche and a few cheesy thyme crisps.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 1/4 of watercrest
- Calories 224
- Carbohydrate Content 16 g
- Cholesterol Content 23 mg
- Fat Content 16.5 g
- Fiber Content 6 g
- Protein Content 6.5 g
- Saturated Fat Content 6.5 g
- Sodium Content 853 mg
- Sugar Content 5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 1 g