Spinach Bouillabaisse

Eat Your Vegetables!'s Note:

This soup is from Provence, where many hearty soups that feature potatoes, saffron, and a poached egg are referred to as bouillabaisse. This recipe is from the vegetarian cookbook Mediterranean Harvest.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 16 cups water
• kosher salt
• 2 ½ lbs spinach , stemmed
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil , plus extra for drizzling
• 2 leeks , white and light green parts only sliced
• 4 -6 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 lb red potatoes , sliced
• 1 bouquet garni , made with bay leaf and thyme and parsley
• 1 pinch saffron
• fresh ground black pepper
• 4 large eggs
• 4 slices bread , thick slices, toasted and rubbed with garlic
• ½ cup gruyere cheese , grated

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 T salt and the spinach. Blanch just until wilted, less than a minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the spinach to a bowl of cold water. Let sit for a couple of minutes, drain, and squeeze out the water. Chop coarsely and set aside. Measure out 6 c of the cooking water and set aside.
2. Heat 1 T olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat and add the leeks. Cook, stirring often, until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, for another minute or so, until fragrant.
3. Add the spinach and stir together for a few seconds, then add the potatoes, the 6 c reserved blanching water, and the bouquet garni. Bring to a boil and crumble in the saffron.
4. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Taste and adjust salt. Add pepper. Discard the bouquet garni.
5. Have the soup at a bare simmer. One by one, break each egg into a teacup, then tip into the soup. Poach the eggs for 4-5 minutes, until just set.
6. Place a crouton in each bowl and, using a slotted spoon, scoop out a poached egg and place it on top. Ladle the soup into the bowls. Sprinkle on the cheese and drizzle on a little olive oil. Serve.

Reviews

[Jana Steinhagen]

a very clever recipe