Garlic Scape Soup

I am a little late to the Super Natural Cooking party, but I have to say, better late than never! :) I'd ordered Heidi Swanson's book over a month ago, but I'd gotten about 8 books at the time, so its taken me a while. I really love the easy style of the book, as though Heidi is right there with me in my kitchen and while I'm less familiar with some of her ingredients, the finished products look so amazing, I'm happy to seek them out.

Tonight's secret ingredient wasn't hard to come by. I received my first garlic scapes in my CSA box two weeks ago, and I've been hooked ever since. Anytime I saw them, I bought more. So many more, I'd amassed quite a pile!!! I was flipping through Super Natural Cooking and landed on the Garlic Scape Soup recipe and jackpot noises went off in my head (not in a creepy way).

This soup was flavorful and earthy and such a vibrant green (that my camera couldn't quite capture). The flavor of the scapes was delicate and friendly - I'd bee worried that it would be too garlicy, and thus a little scary. I was happily surprised and I'm thrilled we have lots of leftovers!!!

Garlic Scape Soup
From Super Natural Cooking, by Heidi Swanson
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Natural-Cooking-Incorporate-Ingredients/dp/1587612755/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6815521-7348005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182220708&sr=8-1

2 tablespoons clarified butter or extra-virgin olive oil
2 dozen garlic scapes, flower buds discarded and green shoots chopped
3 large russet potatoes, unpeeled and cut into ½ inch dice
5 cups vegetable stock or water
2 large handfuls spinach leaves, stemmed
Juice of ½ lemon
½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
Chive blossoms, for garnish (optional)

Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then add the scapes and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and stock, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through and beginning to break down.

Remove from the heat, add the spinach, and puree using a hand blender. (If you must use a conventional blender, be careful; the hot liquid can burst out the top and make a huge, potentially painful mess. Try leaving the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Cover the top with a kitchen towel and blend in batches at low speed.) Season with the lemon juice, salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Whisk in the cream for a silkier texture. If the soup tastes flat, add salt a few big pinches at a time until the flavors really pop. Serve garnished with the chive blossoms.

Serves 4 to 6.