nettle soup time folks!!

[Nicos]

Just noticed that the young nettles have suddenly appeared!
I'm going to go on a nettle hunt over the next few days and get a stock of this wonderful soup in the freezer whilst I remember...it's absolutely delish!!
If you've never tried it- give it a go...it's very green but tastes creamy!

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...food_1416.html

[di]

I've still never tried it,even though every year I make it the thing I must do!!!Maybe this year!
Does it taste anything like nettle tea...because actually I really don't like that!

[poly]

Not tried it before, but I do have a lovely patch of nettles sprouting. Might just give it a go.

[Nicos]

I've still never tried it,even though every year I make it the thing I must do!!!Maybe this year!
Does it taste anything like nettle tea...because actually I really don't like that!

You'd never know it was made from nettles!!!

Looks like it'd taste really green (if you know what I mean!!!)..but it doesn't!!
I think the onion, chicken stock and cream give it the flavour , the spud bulks it up nicely, and the nettles give it the 'green' !( and loads of vits and minerals I'll bet!!!!)

Give it a bash- I'd b interested in what you think!

I make garlic and chilli flavoured croutons to throw on top of the thick blob of cream...yum yum!!

[sallym]

Will give this a try at the w/end. Is it like watercress soup? I love that.

[Nicos]

Will give this a try at the w/end. Is it like watercress soup? I love that.

uurrrmmm...never made it!!!

It's a bit of a shock how many leaves you need to put in it though!!!!

[JILLY JACKSON]

I;ve never made it either,but then i didnt have a recipe until now.So will be nettle picking in the next couple of days.

[poly]

Sold! Nettle picking tomorrow!

[Glutton4...]

How much of the Nettle are you supposed to use? I was lead to believe that it was just the tips, and got bored at snipping half an inch off each plant. After ten minutes I hadn't got enough to make a cup-full of soup! There are loads of Nettles at the Stables, as the Horses won't eat them until they are cut, so I may as well make the most of them. I love free food .

[Growem]

I made nettle soup last year and I have to say, I was less than impressed. As I wrote on my blog: "It was a lovely green colour and the taste was alright too. But the texture was yuck. Even pureed, it still felt like I was eating a bowl of chewy grass. I'm pretty sure I let it wilt enough, so I don't know how it could have been a smoother texture. And rightly or wrongly, I felt like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall eating the soup."

I think any soup with onion, carrot, potato and cream is probably going to taste not bad, never mind the nettles. I might try again this year, but sieve it after pureeing the nettles and seeing if that makes any difference.

[Nicos]

We just strip off the top 9" at this stage cos most of the leaves are tender ( remember to wear gloves though!!!!) and leave the stem behind( makes sorting easier later when you give them a quick rinse to wash off any insects).
About a carrierbag full should do the trick.

[Glutton4...]

We just strip off the top 9" at this stage cos most of the leaves are tender ( remember to wear gloves though!!!!) and leave the stem behind( makes sorting easier later when you give them a quick rinse to wash off any insects).
About a carrierbag full should do the trick.

Thanks for that Nicos. Gloves and baggie ready!

[sallym]

Made the soup today. Lovely! Thanks Nicos. I Know its silly, but I really hesitated on the first mouthful. Knew it wouldn't sting me, but....
Getting OH to try tonight. Does it freeze ok? Thought I could get loads more while still young and make some to freeze for later.

[JILLY JACKSON]

I've just finished making it!!Delicious,Thanks for that

[Flummery]

Hmm - will put that on my 'Things to do this week' list!