March 18, 2008
Everything’s Gone Green
In another lifetime, I was all about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. There were far too many black and tans at the Gaelic League, “shaking my shamrock” with my best girl at the Old Shillelagh, big boiled dinners of corned beef, cabbage, carrots and turnips, but honestly, I’m just not that into it anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Irish food, drink and music, but I prefer my celebrations on the quieter side these days.
Still, I decided to cook up something green, a simple potato and leek soup with fresh watercress just wilted in and the whole thing pureed right before serving. It was inspired by the soup on Suzanne Goin’s St. Patrick’s Day menu in Sunday Suppers at Lucques, and I had originally planned to serve it with her “Gentleman’s Relish” toasts but in the end I went simpler and made cheddar and chive toasts instead.
I’m not sure if it was because I’m fighting off the cold that my darling husband is trying to share with me, but this didn’t quite hit the mark. I kept adjusting the seasoning, adding a bit more salt, a splash of wine vinegar, and finally whisking in a blob of sour cream (which, of course, decided to separate), and while the end result was okay, it wasn’t delicious. That being said, I’m having some of the leftover soup for lunch today – hopefully the flavors will have improved overnight.
Anita said,
March 18, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
well, it certainly LOOKS delicious
Claudia (cook eat FRET) said,
March 18, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
my guess is that it was pretty damn good
but it’s nice to see you miss the mark on occasion
otherwise you’d scare me
Laura Grace said,
March 18, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
It’s SO pedestrian, but nothing enriches a creamy potato-based soup like full-fat cream cheese. Tangy and creamy without the risk of breaking — at least as long as you don’t boil the bejeezus out of it.
Melissa Rhinolegs said,
March 18, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
oh my god, i’m so glad to hear that other people (who know what they’re doing!) have problems with dairy breaking…. my husband won’t let me make cream soups anymore because i always manage to ruin them. he, on the other hand, never screws up a single one.
Jennifer Hess said,
March 19, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Anita - Thank you.
Claudia - Ha! Trust me, I certainly do miss the mark.
Laura Grace - Mmmm, that sounds great - I may have to give it a try.
Melissa - I generally use creme fraiche and have good luck with it, but unfortunately there was none in the fridge!