Description
Jamie Oliver’s Lettuce Soup brings garden-fresh elegance to your table with surprising depth and comfort. Green leaves simmer into a silky, aromatic experience that captures seasonal simplicity while delivering unexpected culinary magic you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225g) romaine lettuce, core and root ends trimmed, leaves torn if large
- 2 cups (475ml) homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock, plus more if needed
- 1 medium onion (about 8 ounces; 225g), diced
- 4 medium cloves garlic, sliced
Herbs and Garnish:
- ¼ cup (1 small handful) loosely packed parsley leaves
- Thinly sliced radish and pea shoots, tossed in extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh lemon juice, to taste
Instructions
- Meticulously prepare ingredients by finely dicing the onion, thinly slicing the garlic, and gently separating the romaine lettuce leaves to ensure uniform cooking and texture.
- Heat a medium saucepan and melt 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of butter over medium heat until it becomes frothy and golden. Introduce the diced onion and sliced garlic, gently sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour 4 cups (960 milliliters) of chicken or vegetable stock into the saucepan, allowing the liquid to reach a gentle simmer. Continue cooking until the vegetables become exceptionally tender, which typically requires 7 to 9 minutes.
- Carefully fold the romaine lettuce and fresh parsley into the simmering liquid, letting them wilt and soften for 1 to 2 minutes while maintaining the delicate flavors of the herbs.
- Transfer the hot mixture into a blender, working in batches if necessary to prevent overflow. Purée the soup at low speed, gradually increasing to high, creating a silky-smooth consistency that takes approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
- Adjust the soup’s consistency by adding additional stock if it appears too thick. Season with kosher salt and a subtle hint of fresh lemon juice to enhance the overall flavor profile, being careful not to overpower the delicate vegetable essence.
- Elegantly plate the soup by garnishing with thinly sliced radishes and delicate pea shoots lightly dressed in extra-virgin olive oil. Serve the lettuce soup either piping hot or refreshingly chilled, depending on personal preference and seasonal temperature.
Notes
- Blending this soup transforms humble romaine into a luxurious, restaurant-worthy dish that surprises and delights.
- Minimal cooking time means gourmet flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Unexpected ingredients like radish and pea shoots turn a simple soup into a stunning culinary presentation.
- Versatile temperature options make this recipe perfect for any season, whether you’re craving warmth or refreshment.
- Professional chefs know that careful seasoning and gradual blending are key to achieving silky-smooth perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 115
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg