Repeat Worthy Post ~French Sorrel Soup

French sorrel

Originally posted in May, 2012, with French sorrel abundant ... this is a great repost.

Three years ago I planted French sorrel, and for the first two years it was a bit neglected .. not used except for a little in Caesar salads to add a lemony punch of flavor.  It comes back each year without replanting in early spring, is drought tolerant and can be used as an herb or green.   For dinner I made its namesake soup for the first time.  It was better than I had expected.

French Sorrel Soup
serves 4

1 quart washed and diced French sorrel

1/2 cup thinly sliced and diced leeks, wild onions or ramps

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 Yukon gold potato peeled and diced in 1/2 inch cubes

3 cups chicken stock

1 cup whole milk 

2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried

salt and pepper to taste

2 egg yolks, beaten

French sorrel soup

Heat the butter in a 4-6 quart sauce/stock pan.  Add leeks, cover and cook on med-low for about 5 minutes, stirring once or twice.   Stir in flour until mixed in .. cook about a minute.  Slowly add the chicken stock and whisk to prevent lumps of flour.  Add milk, sorrel and potatoes.  Simmer until the potatoes are soft.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Blend in the pan to a puree with a stick blender.  Cook another few minutes on low.  With a fork, stir the egg yolks in a small mixing bowl ... and slowly add a large ladle of hot soup mix (keep stirring) to temper the eggs.  Add the tempered eggs to the soup pan but don't let the soup come to a boil.  Just stir well and continue to heat on low for another minute before serving.  This soup is very flavorful .. tasting a bit like lemony spinach.

Tonight was our second meatless dinner in a row.   We enjoyed sorrel soup, followed by baked yams in their jackets with a little salt, pepper and butter added upon serving, corn oysters, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and stewed cherry rhubarb.  Hubby noticed we've had a rhubarb treat three times this past week .. very observant ;) ... it's rhubarb season and we're trying to eat what the garden produces.