Buttermilk Vichyssoise with Watercress

Name: Buttermilk Vichyssoise with Watercress
Yield: serves 6
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise and then thinly sliced into half-moons, washed well and drained; 3 large white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces; 4 1/2 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock; 3 cups cleaned watercress leaves, loosely packed; Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper; 1 cup half-and-half; 1 cup buttermilk

January 26, 2012

This chilled soup is traditionally garnished with fresh chives. We added the peppery snap of watercress and the tang of buttermilk to give it bite.

Recipe information

Yield
serves 6

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise and then thinly sliced into half-moons, washed well and drained

3 large white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

4 1/2 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock

3 cups cleaned watercress leaves, loosely packed

Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper

1 cup half-and-half

1 cup buttermilk

Preparation

Step 1
Melt the butter in a stockpot over medium-low heat. Add the leeks, and cook, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes.
Step 2
Add the potatoes, stock, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil; simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Cool completely; stir in 2 cups of the watercress.
Step 3
Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Transfer the pureed soup to a large bowl. Season with salt and white pepper. Stir in the half-and-half; chill at least 1 hour. Add the buttermilk just before serving. Adjust seasoning; if necessary, thin the soup with a bit more chicken stock or water to achieve the desired consistency. Garnish with the remaining cup watercress leaves.

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.

Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.

TagsCold Soup Soup Soup/Stew French European Buttermilk Dairy Watercress Leafy Greens Vegetable Leek Root Vegetable Russet Potato Potato Main Dinner Nut Free Gluten Free Easy Simmer Blender Cookbooks

Recipe information

Ingredients

Preparation

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Recipe notes