Fennel Soup With Peas Lemon Recipes

PEA & FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large saucepan, add the fennel and onion and cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the chicken stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Add the peas and cook for 3 minutes, until the peas are tender. Off the heat, add the salt and pepper.
• Puree the soup in batches with a food processor fitted with a steel blade or with a stick blender. Pour the soup into a large bowl and repeat until all the soup is coarsely pureed. Whisk in the creme fraiche and taste for seasoning. Reheat the soup in the saucepan and serve hot with a drizzle of olive oil and some croutons on top.
• Heat the olive oil in a large (10-inch) saute pan until hot. Add the bread and cook over medium heat, tossing frequently, until the bread is evenly toasted and browned. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Yield: 2 cups

PEA, LETTUCE AND FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and fennel. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 the teaspoon pepper. Cover the saucepan and cook until almost tender, stirring occasionally, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the lettuce and toss until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in the peas, broth, 1 cup water and fennel seeds. Bring the soup to a boil. Cover; reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are just tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
• In a blender, blend the soup, 1 cup at a time, until smooth. Pour the soup back into the saucepan and keep warm over low heat. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Thin out the soup by adding 1 tablespoon of extra broth at a time, if needed.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

LEMON FENNEL SOUP WITH GARLIC CROUTONS

Steps:

• Melt half the butter in a saucepan and sauté the shallots until translucent.
• Add the fennel.
• Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Cover the pan and sweat the fennel for 10 minutes, until softened.
• Add the stock and bring to a boil.
• Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and carefully puree the soup in a food processor or with a hand-held blender.
• Return to the saucepan, and thin with milk to the desired consistency, I use about 1 1/2 cups, use more if you like it thinner. Heat through.
• Meanwhile, cut the bread into 1/2 inch cubes.
• Melt the remaining butter in a frying pan, and sauté the bread cubes with the garlic and lemon zest, until golden and toasted.
• Remove the soup from the heat.
• Stir in the lemon juice, and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
• Divide the soup between individual bowls.
• Garnish with the croutons and chopped parsley.