The Nettle Soup was probably my favorite part of the menu. Nettle stings when you gather it so it is a challenge to make this soup but it was sooooo good! I could even see this soup used as a sauce on pasta. Nettle is amazingly rich in iron, nourishing for the blood and often used for seasonal allergies.
Nettle Soup Recipe
1 pound stinging nettles
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 white onion, diced
1/4 cup basmati rice
4 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 2 teaspoons of salt. Drop in the stinging nettles, and cook 1 to 2 minutes until they soften. This will remove most of the sting. Drain in a colander, and rinse with cold water. Trim off any tough stems, then chop coarsely.
Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat, and stir in the onion. Cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice, chicken broth, and chopped nettles. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Puree the soup with an immersion blender, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
I had no idea you could make soup from stinging nettles. But, of course you gals could do it! What a wonderful event! Beautiful plates of food, too.
ReplyDeleteLove you set up the whole thing, so pretty! Also, thanks for sharing the Nettle Soup. I'll be trying this idea one of this days co'z it seems to be very interesting to do.
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius Nancy. I don't think anyone knows more than you about using herbs in cooking and baking!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inventive tea menu! Amazing that the soup is so good...I guess it had better be after what you go through to get it! LOL!
ReplyDeleteRuth
AWESOME idea about serving the dip! I'll be using this for sure!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of the benefits of stinging nettles. Love the menu and the dip idea. This is a tea party I would have certainly enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteThe Wild Thyme Tea Party photos are great. The food looked delicious. Thanks for the veggies & dip serving idea - I really like that.
ReplyDelete