Lettuce Soup (Vellutata di Lattuga)
Category: First Courses | Serves: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fresh spring onions (cipollotto) | 4 |
| Shallot | 1 |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 3 tbsp |
| Butter | 20g |
| Lettuce | 2 heads |
| Vegetable broth | 750ml |
| Breadcrumbs | 30g |
| Salt | to taste |
| White pepper | to taste |
| Fresh parsley | 3 sprigs |
| Yogurt | 2 tbsp |
| Whole wheat bread | 4 slices |
Instructions:
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Prep the Vegetables: Begin by cleaning and finely chopping the shallot and spring onions, including their tender green parts.
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Sauté the Onions: In a large saucepan, combine the extra virgin olive oil and butter. Allow the butter to melt over medium heat, then add the chopped shallot and spring onions. Sauté gently until they soften and become translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
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Add Lettuce: Tear or roughly chop the lettuce leaves and add them to the saucepan with the onions. Stir to mix the ingredients together, allowing the lettuce to wilt slightly.
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Simmer: Pour in 500ml of the vegetable broth, and stir in 30g of breadcrumbs. Let the mixture simmer on low heat, stirring regularly. Continue cooking until the liquid thickens slightly, ensuring the flavors meld together.
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Strain the Soup: Once the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency, strain it through a fine sieve into another pot, ensuring a smooth and velvety texture without any lumps. Discard any solids left behind.
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Finish the Soup: Pour the strained soup back into the saucepan. Add the remaining vegetable broth (250ml) to reach your preferred soup consistency. Stir in salt and white pepper to taste.
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Blend for Smoothness: For an even smoother texture, you may choose to blend the soup with an immersion blender for a few seconds, ensuring a silky finish.
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Add Freshness: Finely chop the fresh parsley and stir it into the soup. Then, add a dollop of yogurt to give the soup a creamy richness and a slight tang.
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Toast the Bread: While the soup is simmering, toast the whole wheat bread slices until golden and crispy. Once toasted, cut the bread into triangles for serving.
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Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnishing with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve with the crispy whole wheat bread triangles on the side for dipping.
Tips for the Perfect Lettuce Soup:
- For extra richness, you can add a splash of cream instead of yogurt.
- If you prefer a thicker texture, increase the amount of breadcrumbs or allow the soup to simmer for a longer time.
- This soup pairs wonderfully with a light salad or a protein-based dish for a well-rounded meal.
Enjoy this healthy and velvety smooth soup, perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner, with the subtle sweetness of the lettuce complementing the delicate flavors of the shallot and spring onion!
