Mental Health Awareness Week recipes: Nettle Soup
By The Editor
13th May 2021 | Local News
This week in aid of Mental Health Awareness week we will be publishing a series of seasonal recipes with foraged ingredients by local nutritional therapist Belinda Blake.
Read more about Belinda and the benefits of foraging for mental health here: Forage your way to improved wellbeing this Mental Health Awareness Week.
Get Back to Nature with Foraging: Nettle Soup, by Belinda Blake
Serves 6
Stinging nettles thrive in fertile soils and as a result are packed full of nutrients, providing vitamin C, A and B vitamins, plus a range of minerals including potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, magnesium and iron.
Nature's own multivitamin and mineral, and a perfect spring tonic! This is one of our favourite nettle soup recipes and is based on one originally published by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
IngredientsAbout ½ carrier bag full of nettle tops (approx. 150-200g)
2 tbs olive oil1 onion, peeled chopped
1 large leek, washed and finely sliced2 celery sticks, chopped
1 large clove garlic, peeled and chopped (or a small handful of washed, chopped ramson leaves)2 tbsp white basmati rice
1 litre good quality vegetable or chicken stockSea salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve
6 tbsp plain live yoghurt or kefir1 small bunch chives, finely chopped
Method
Wash the nettles well, pat dry and remove any tough stems (wearing gloves!). Gently heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion, leek, celery and garlic. Cover the pan and allow the vegetables to soften for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally (you don't want these to brown). Add the rice and stock, then bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Next, add the nettles (and ramson leaves if you are using them) into the stock whilst stirring, then allow to simmer for about five minutes or until the rice and the nettles are tender. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Purée the soup and check the seasoning, before ladling into bowls and decorating with a swirl of yoghurt and a sprinkling of chives. Other recipes from Belinda:To be the first to receive the last in our series of recipes from Belinda, sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of the page!
Read more about Belinda and the benefits of foraging for mental health here: Forage your way to improved wellbeing this Mental Health Awareness Week.
New richmond Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: richmond jobs
Share: