In the realm of refreshing summer soups, chilled lettuce soup emerges as a culinary masterpiece. This unique and flavorful dish, often referred to as laitue rafraîchissante, has its roots in French cuisine. With its vibrant green hue and velvety texture, chilled lettuce soup is a delightful symphony of flavors, offering a perfect balance between the natural sweetness of lettuce and the tangy acidity of lemon and vinegar. This remarkable soup is not only a feast for the senses but also a testament to the versatility and creativity of culinary artistry.
This article presents a collection of delectable chilled lettuce soup recipes, each offering a unique culinary experience. From the classic French version, characterized by its simplicity and reliance on fresh, high-quality ingredients, to contemporary variations that incorporate a variety of herbs, spices, and even fruits, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you seek a traditional approach or are eager to explore innovative flavor combinations, this compilation has something for every palate.
One recipe introduces the classic French chilled lettuce soup, emphasizing the importance of using the freshest lettuce and herbs to achieve the most vibrant flavors. Another recipe takes a modern twist on the classic, adding a touch of spice with the inclusion of jalapeño peppers and cumin. For those who appreciate Asian flavors, a recipe featuring ginger, lemongrass, and coconut milk offers a refreshing and exotic rendition of this classic soup.
Additionally, the article includes a recipe for a chilled lettuce soup with avocado and cucumber, which provides a creamy and refreshing take on the dish. For those with a sweet tooth, a unique recipe incorporates honeydew melon and mint, creating a delightful and subtly sweet soup that is perfect for warm summer days.
With its detailed instructions and helpful tips, this article empowers home cooks of all skill levels to create their own chilled lettuce soup masterpieces. Whether you prefer a traditional French approach or are intrigued by contemporary flavor combinations, these recipes offer a culinary journey that is sure to impress your family and friends.
CHILLED PEA, LETTUCE AND HERB SOUP
This elegant soup is sweet and heavenly. The texture is silky and the consistency thick -- but only because there are lots of peas in it. I used water rather than stock when I tested this recipe, and it worked just fine.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories weekday, soups and stews, appetizer
Time 30m
Yield Six regular servings or 12 aperitifs
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the peas, lettuce and stock or water, and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer five minutes. Remove from the heat. Drain through a strainer set over a bowl, and allow the vegetables and the broth to cool for 15 minutes. Taste the broth, and season as desired.
- Working in batches, purée the vegetables and herbs in a blender with the broth and additional olive oil for two minutes until frothy and smooth. Pour into a bowl, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings. Chill for several hours.
- Serve, garnishing with additional chives, tarragon and/or mint.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 260, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 915 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams
CHILLED LETTUCE SOUP
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories easy, weekday, soups and stews, appetizer, side dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Put butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat; when it melts, add onion and sweat for about 2 minutes or until it begins to soften; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add all but a couple of handfuls of the lettuce to the pan, reserving the rest for garnish, and cook until it wilts. Add stock, turn the heat to medium-high and bring liquid to a boil; lower heat to medium and cook until lettuce is very soft, about 5 minutes.
- Put cooked lettuce in a blender and add 2 cups of ice water. Purée mixture until smooth, then put in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Once soup is chilled, add cream or half-and-half to taste and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Finely chop reserved lettuce and put about 1/4 cup in each bowl and ladle soup on top. Garnish with croutons or bacon.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 239, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 1402 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CHILLED SUMMER LETTUCE, LOVAGE AND GARDEN PEA SOUP
A delightful and refreshing chilled soup for summer - this savoury soup takes its flavour from freshly chopped lovage leaves, which impart a savoury, lemony and celery-like taste. I like to serve this pale green soup in clear glass bowls for maximum impact, with a few chopped leaves sprinkled on top and a swirl of cream. This soup makes an elegant starter for any summer event or a light luncheon dish. Do not be tempted to add more lovage then is suggested, it is a very strong flavoured herb and can be overpowering if used with a heavy hand!
Provided by French Tart
Categories Greens
Time 3h10m
Yield 4 Bowls, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Sweat the spring onions in the oil or butter until soft, then add the peas and lettuce. Pour over two-thirds of the stock, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 5 minutes, or until the peas are tender.
- Remove from the heat and add the lovage leaves then blend the soup with a hand blender or in a liquidiser. Thin the soup to your preferred texture with the remaining stock. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the soup in a container and chill in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours. Serve chilled with chopped lovage leaves and a swirl of cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 83.9, Fat 0.6, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 16.8, Carbohydrate 16, Fiber 7.1, Sugar 5.9, Protein 5.5
CHILLED FRESH PEA AND LETTUCE SOUP
Make and share this Chilled Fresh Pea and Lettuce Soup recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Alia55
Categories Low Protein
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In soup pot or large saucepan, melt butter.
- Add leeks and cook until tender but not brown.
- Stir in lettuce and cook until wilted.
- Add peas and combine well.
- Add stock, parsley, tarragon, chervil, pepper and just a sprinkling of salt.
- Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and cover and cook until peas are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Puree soup in a blender.
- Chill thoroughly.
- Stir in cream.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Adjust consistency with additional stock or cream if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 500.3, Fat 31.5, SaturatedFat 18.3, Cholesterol 104, Sodium 432.2, Carbohydrate 40.1, Fiber 9.2, Sugar 15, Protein 16.7
CHILLED LETTUCE BUTTERMILK SOUP
Evidently, lettuce soup is a old time American favorite. I had three bunches of lettuce from the CSA one week and came up with this recipe by combining a variety of recipes I found online. It's actually pretty tasty, a refreshing dish on a hot summer day!
Provided by Stephanie Z.
Categories Greens
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Pour buttermilk and half-and-half into large bowl or saucepan.
- In a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Add onion, increase heat to medium-high and sauté until softened.
- Add garlic, stirring, and then lettuce strips. Sauté for about three minutes, stirring occasionally, until lettuce is wilted.
- Stir lettuce strips, parsley, dill and pea puree into buttermilk mixture, then blend with an immersion blender.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill at least three hours or overnight.
- To serve, ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with dill.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, crisp lettuce is essential for a flavorful soup. Look for heads of lettuce that are tightly packed and free of blemishes.
- Don't overcook the lettuce. Lettuce soup should be cooked just until the lettuce is wilted, about 5 minutes. Overcooking will make the soup slimy.
- Use a variety of lettuces. This will give your soup a more complex flavor. Some good options include romaine, butterhead, and arugula.
- Add other vegetables to your soup. This will make it more nutritious and filling. Some good options include cucumber, celery, and carrots.
- Season the soup to taste. Salt, pepper, and lemon juice are all good starting points. You can also add other herbs and spices, such as dill, chives, or tarragon.
- Serve the soup chilled. This is the best way to enjoy its refreshing flavor. You can also garnish the soup with fresh herbs or a dollop of sour cream.
Conclusion:
Chilled lettuce soup is a delicious, refreshing, and healthy soup that is perfect for a summer meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a soup that is sure to please everyone at your table.
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