ARUGULA IN SOUP RECIPES

Steps:

• Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium low heat. Add the onions, leeks, garlic and salt, tossing to coat. Cover and cook slowly, tossing occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 20 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, broth, ginger and nutmeg, stirring to combine. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, skimming off all the froth from the surface. Simmer, partly covered, until the potatoes are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove half the solids with a slotted spoon and puree until smooth in a food processor or a blender. Return the puree to the soup and add the cream or milk. Bring to a boil, then thin the soup if desired with additional broth. (The soup can be prepared in advance to this point, then returned to a boil at serving time.)
• Scatter the chopped arugula over the surface and cover the pan. Cook until the arugula has wilted, about two minutes. Stir, add salt and pepper to taste, making sure to season the soup carefully. Swirl in the remaining tablespoon of butter and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Wash the arugula (or spinach) very well under cold water then drain in a salad spinner. Arugula/spinach tends to hold dirt, so make sure you wash it until the water runs clear. Run the leaves through the salad spinner one more time.
• Place a large pan (big enough to hold the arugula/spinach) over medium high heat. Add the arugula/spinach and cook until it just wilts (the water clinging to the leaves after washing generates enough steam for cooking), about 1 minute. Immediately remove from heat.
• Place the arugula/spinach back into the salad spinner, spinning out any excess moisture; set aside.
• Rinse and dry the pan. Add the butter and melt gently over low heat until softly foaming, lightly browned and smells faintly nutty; add the shallots and sweat for about 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
• Add the garlic and cook for a minute or two, then season generously with salt and pepper.
• Add the arugula or spinach and stir once or twice to combine, then pour in the broth and turn up the heat to high.
• As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, *immediately* remove from the heat. Don’t overcook it or the spinach will become slimy quickly!
• Coarsely puree the soup using an immersion blender, or using a stand blender, in batches as necessary. Don’t puree it too fine or the soup will seem watery.
• Return the soup to the pan (still on low heat) and stir in the creme fraiche. Add the grated nutmeg, then check for seasoning — adding a little more nutmeg, pepper and/or salt, to taste. Salt in particular is key to the flavor of this soup.
• Reheat gently and sprinkle with grated lemon zest just before serving.