Potage St Cloud Recipes

POTAGE SAINT-GERMAIN

Steps:

• Make the croutons:
• In a bowl drizzle the bread cubes with the butter, tossing them to coat them well, and in a shallow baking dish bake them in a preheated 350°F. oven, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until the croutons are golden and crisp. Season the croutons with salt. The croutons may be made 1 day in advance and kept in an airtight container.
• Make the soup:
• In a large saucepan cook the leeks in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until they are softened, add the broth and 2 cups water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the peas and the lettuce and simmer the mixture, covered partially, for 10 minutes, or until the peas are tender. Stir in the mint and in a blender or food processor purée the soup in batches. The soup may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Return the soup to the pan, season it with salt and pepper, and reheat it over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is hot.
• In a small bowl beat the cream until it is thickened slightly but still pourable and season it with salt. Ladle the soup into bowls, drizzle drops of the cream on each serving, and draw a skewer or knife through the drops, forming decorative patterns. Serve the soup with the croutons.

POTAGE SAINT-GERMAIN GERHARD

Steps:

• In a 5- to 6-quart kettle bring split peas and 5 cups water with salt to a boil, and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes, or until most of water is absorbed.
• In a large heavy skillet sauté salt pork in 1 tablespoon butter over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden. Add onion and sautéF, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add carrots, leeks, lettuce, bay leaf, and thyme and sauté, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Stir vegetable mixture into split peas with fresh or frozen peas and remaining 2 cups water and cook, covered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, 1 hour.
• Strain soup through a sieve into a large saucepan, pressing hard on solids before discarding them. Add broth, half-and-half, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, sugar, white pepper, and salt to taste and bring soup to a boil over moderately high heat, stirring.