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Puree of Spring Greens

For some years, my family has belonged to a community-supported farm. In late spring, there is a plethora of greens of all kinds—Asian greens, spinach, and lettuce. At some point there seems to be more than can be used in a week, even by my veggie-loving family. That’s when I turn to this recipe—it has become an annual tradition! Make sure all greens are very well washed.

Cooks' Note

For Asian greens, you can use a small bunch of regular or baby bok choy, tatsoi, or mizuna.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups water with 2 vegetable bouillon cubes, or other stock option (page 9)
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1 bunch Asian greens, any variety, thick midribs trimmed, leaves coarsely chopped (see Note)
8 to 10 ounces fresh spinach, well washed and stemmed
2 heads green lettuce, coarsely chopped
1/2 to 1 cup parsley leaves
1 to 2 cups rice milk, or as needed
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Silk creamer for garnish, optional

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until the onion is golden.

    Step 2

    Add the water with bouillon cubes and the potatoes. Bring to a rapid simmer, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer gently until the potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

    Step 3

    Add the Asian greens and cover. Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add the spinach leaves and cover; cook just until they wilt down.

    Step 4

    Add the lettuce and parsley and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, or until all the greens are just tender.

    Step 5

    Puree the mixture in batches until smooth in a food processor. Return to the soup pot and stir in enough rice milk to give the soup a slightly thick consistency. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

    Step 6

    For an optional, pretty garnish, pour some creamer into a small-spouted pitcher and pour a spiral design onto the top of each serving.

  2. Nutrition Information

    Step 7

    Per serving:

    Step 8

    Calories: 128

    Step 9

    Total fat: 5g

    Step 10

    Protein: 4g

    Step 11

    Fiber: 3g

    Step 12

    Carbohydrate: 18g

    Step 13

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 14

    Sodium: 107mg

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