• Course: Main Course, Soup
• Features: Fast

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (1 1/4 cups)
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or beef broth
• 1 quart packed watercress, washed and coarsely chopped, tougher stems discarded (from 1 basketball-size bunch)
• 1 cup heavy cream (may substitute 1 cup sour cream or 3 ounces cream cheese at room temperature)
• Salt
• Freshly ground white or black pepper

Directions:

Melt the butter in a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring once or twice, for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion has softened. Sprinkle the flour over the onion; use a whisk or wooden spoon to form a roux. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring; do not let the roux become brown (reduce the heat, if necessary).

Gradually add the broth, stirring to incorporate it into the roux, and then all but 1 handful of the watercress; cook for 1 minute, stirring to submerge the watercress. Add the cream and increase the heat to medium-high; when the mixture just comes to a boil, add the remaining watercress and immediately remove the pan from the heat. Transfer to a blender or use a stick immersion blender to puree as desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or transfer to a container, cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Recipe Source:

Adapted from "The Foraging Gourmet," by foraging expert and author Katie Letcher Lyle of Lexington, Va. (Lyons & Burford, 1997).

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