Friday Recipe: Nettle Soup

It's that time of year. The time of the dreaded cold. A friend has a book called Grow your own Drugs by James Wong...not those kinds of drugs, but the natural kind that doesn't require a prescription. Or jail time.

Nettle Soup is a restorative, according to this book, and nettles are "packed with nourishing vitamins and minerals that can help build natural immunity and protect from infections after a long winter." [page 114]

2 TBSP butter
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 medium potatoes peeled & chopped
450g freshly picked nettle tops (wear gloves to collect), washed
1qt vegetable stock
2/3 cup heavy cream
freshly grated nutmeg
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Large pot of water to a boil, melt butter and gently saute onion and garlic for 10 minutes. Add potatoes and nettles and saute for 2 minutes. Add stock and cover, then bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat.

2. Puree the ingredients with a handheld blender, then stir in the cream and season with a little nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Reheat and serve.

I don't like nutmeg, but we'll see how it works. As for picking nettles, I wouldn't have a clue as to where to PICK nettles, so am buying them. I'm sure it'll be just fine. Anything to boost the immune system and help me through the treacherous cold season, eh?