Ingredients
Green Vegetable Soup
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 1 small leek (white part only), thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove, gently crushed
- 150 g zucchini, sliced
- 100g broccoli florets
- 100 g fresh spinach
- 500 ml high-quality vegetable stock (light and clear)
- 100 ml heavy cream
- fine sea salt
- white pepper, freshly grounded
- a few drops of lemon juice
Herb Cream
- 100 ml crème fraîche
- 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- lemon zest(very fine)
- salt to taste
Rustic Bread
- 4 slices artisan sourdough bread
- olive oil for brushing
1. Building the Flavor Base
Heat butter and olive oil gently in a saucepan. Add shallot and leek with a pinch of salt. Sweat over low heat until soft and translucent — never browned. This creates sweetness without bitterness.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds only.
2. Cooking the Vegetables
Add zucchini and broccoli, stirring briefly to coat them in the aromatics. Pour in the vegetable stock, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 8–10 minutes until just tender.
Add spinach at the very end and cook for 30 seconds only to preserve color and freshness.
3. Blending Like a Professional
Transfer the soup to a high-speed blender. Blend until perfectly smooth. Strain through a fine sieve for a restaurant-level texture.
Return to the pot, add cream, and gently reheat. Season carefully with salt, white pepper, and a few drops of lemon juice to balance richness.
4. Herb Cream
Mix crème fraîche with chives, parsley, lemon zest, and salt. Keep chilled. The contrast of acidity and herbs lifts the soup.
5. Bread Preparation
Brush bread lightly with olive oil and toast until crisp and golden. Let it cool slightly to maintain crunch.
Plating & Presentation: pour the soup into a warm, shallow bowl, add a quenelle or spoonful of herb cream in the center, finish with a light grind of white pepper or a touch of herb oil, place the rustic bread on the side or rest it elegantly on the rim.
“Enjoy your meal at Michelin-star level.”