Sunday, December 13, 2009

Cream of Spinach Soup

I’m always amazed at how terrific a vegetable soup can be. There are a lot of ways you can really fancy up a cream of vegetable soup but I like mine relatively unadorned so the flavor of the vegetable is the star. Cream of spinach soup is also visually rewarding with its gorgeous green color. A bowl this with a hunk of crusty bread and an apple or pear for dessert may be just a simple meal, but it certainly is a satisfying one.
Cream of Spinach Soup (6 servings)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1 large potato, peeled and diced
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • 20 oz. spinach, rinsed and tough stems removed
  • 1 cup light cream
  1. Heat the olive oil in a soup pot. Add the onions and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the nutmeg and potatoes and sauté 3 minutes.
  2. Add the chicken stock. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 20-25 minutes. Add the spinach, cover, and cook another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Purée the soup. Add the cream and gently heat on low.