Vegetarian
20130624-lettuce-garlic-scape-soup.jpg

[Photo: Lauren Rothman]

Note: This soup is equally good served hot or chilled.

About the author: Lauren Rothman is a former Serious Eats intern, a freelance catering chef, and an obsessive chronicler of all things culinary. Try the original recipes on her blog, For the Love of Food, and follow her on Twitter @Lochina186.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

About This Recipe

Yield: Makes 2 quarts
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Special equipment: Blender or hand blender

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 garlic scapes, chopped, or substitute 1 chopped shallot plus 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine, sherry or vermouth
  • 1 quart low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 3 heads soft lettuce such as Boston, rinsed of any grit and chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half

Procedures

  1. Heat butter in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic scapes and cook, stirring, about 4 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring, about 3 minutes. Add broth, lettuce, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover pot and bring liquid to a boil, then drop to a simmer and cook until lettuce is tender, about 5 minutes.

  2. Remove soup from heat, add a dash of nutmeg and the half-and-half, and use a hand blender to blend until smooth. Alternatively, blend soup in a blender in two batches. Serve immediately, with a touch of extra cream in each bowl, if desired; alternatively; chill soup before serving.