Three-Lettuce Soup

2015-05-24

Get your daily fiber now!

The first time my mom made lettuce soup, I was surprised that you could do that. But it tastes quite good. It is pretty much the same procedure as making Spinach Soup, but a very different flavor.

The flavor will ultimately depend on what kinds of lettuce you add. I used what I had available in my garden that day: red bok choy, buttercup lettuce and reddina lettuce. I also used 2 onions and a few turnips. The turnip greens went to the chickens.

Bok choy is a cabbage, but it looks leafy enough to fit in here. It gives the soup a peppery flavor, reminiscent of mustard leaves but not nearly as strong. If you like your soup to have a bit of a bite, add some hot peppers or red/green chile.

Be aware: If you use lettuce plants that are going to seed, the leaves will taste bitter, even more so than many endives.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 10 quarts / 20+ servings:

1 head each of
- red bok choy
- buttercup lettuce
- reddina lettuce
2 chicken legs
S&P
optional:
- hot pepper
- green chile

Pic1: 3-lettuce soup

Directions

Pic2: freshly harvested
Pic3: load the pot
Pic4: all done

Separate the leaves, inspect each leaf and discard wilted or damaged leaves.
Unless you like sand between your teeth, wash and rinse thoroughly.
I prefer to cut the leaves crosswise and remove most of the bigger stems.
Toss the leaves in a stock pot. (Pic3)
Add enough water to cover all, S&P, spices as desired.
Add a few chicken legs for additional flavor.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
That is the time it takes to cook a large frozen chicken leg to the point the meat is still juicy and before it starts losing all of its flavor.
The lettuce will turn dark green. (Pic4)

Serving suggestions:

Pic5: serve meat and boiled lettuce
Pic6: add green chile?

Serve meat and vegetables. (Pic5)
The boiled lettuce does make a good spinach substitute.
The soup is a dark green to brown liquid, depending on the amount of red leaves used.
You can serve it as a clear bouillon, or add some of the greens,
or green chile? (Pic6)
Enjoy.

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more and avemariasongs.org

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more
and avemariasongs.org