Looking for a vibrant, nutritious, and easy recipe that celebrates the best of spring vegetables? This delightful spring soup with whipped ricotta, lemon zest, and a touch of chilli is exactly what you need. Created by Jamie Oliver from his new cookbook Eat Yourself Healthy, this recipe combines fresh, jarred, and frozen veggies to create a colorful, textured, and nourishing dish that comes together in just 25 to 30 minutes. Perfect for busy cooks who want to enjoy easy recipes without sacrificing flavor or health benefits.
Why This Soup Is a Celebration of Veggies
This soup is a true ode to vegetables in all their forms. Jamie uses jarred artichokes, fresh leeks, and frozen broad beans and peas, embracing convenience without compromising nutrition. The key is to enjoy the nutrition of spring vegetables all year round, whether from farmers' markets, corner shops, or supermarkets. Jamie encourages not to get too hung up on strict seasonal rules but to work with what’s accessible and affordable.
Starting with Jarred Artichokes and Fresh Leeks
The recipe begins by frying jarred artichokes that are already quartered, sautéed in the oil they come in. Jamie then whips up a simple French dressing from vinegar and mustard, which can be stored for up to a week and adds a lovely tangy note to the dish.
Next up are the fresh leeks, which Jamie carefully preps by removing outer leaves and washing away any grit. The leeks are trimmed and chopped, with the green tops saved for use in stews or cooking potatoes later, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Jamie mixes the artichokes and leeks, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. The water from washing the leeks helps create steam, allowing the vegetables to soften and develop a sweet, buttery flavor over 15 minutes on medium heat.
Embracing Frozen Veggies: Broad Beans, Peas, and Fresh Mint
One of the highlights of this recipe is the smart use of frozen vegetables. Jamie explains how freezing snap-frozen vegetables preserves their nutrition better than fresh veggies that lose nutrients over time after being picked. Broad beans and peas are stirred in, adding a burst of color, texture, and flavor.
Fresh mint is then boldly chopped and added, pairing wonderfully with the peas and broad beans. Jamie recommends keeping the mint stalks for other dishes, like stews or cooking potatoes, showing thoughtful kitchen efficiency.
Adding Liquid and Cooking to Perfection
To bring everything together, a liter of boiled water is added — stock cubes are optional but the slow-cooked leeks provide plenty of flavor already. Jamie advises bringing the soup to a boil but not overcooking it, to preserve the vibrant color, texture, and nutrition of the vegetables.
For a creamy twist, a couple of ladles of the soup are blitzed and poured back in, creating a lovely balance between chunky and smooth textures.
Whipped Ricotta Toast: A Healthy and Delicious Complement
While the soup simmers, Jamie prepares a quick and tasty ricotta topping for toast. Using good-quality bread sliced about 4 cm thick, the slices are grilled until golden and crisp.
Ricotta, a light, high-protein cheese, is mixed with salt, lemon zest, and parmesan cheese, then whipped to a smooth, creamy consistency. This whipped ricotta is spread generously on the hot toast, providing a rich, tangy contrast to the fresh soup.
Finishing Touches: Lemon, Parmesan, Mint, and Chilli
To elevate the dish even further, Jamie sprinkles extra lemon zest, parmesan, fresh mint leaves, and flaked dried chillies on top of the ricotta toast. The chilli adds a gentle heat that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the peas and broad beans and the creamy ricotta.
Serving and Storing
This soup is served warm and is perfect for dipping the ricotta-topped toast. It’s comforting, fresh, and packed with flavor — ideal for a quick lunch or a light dinner. Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, making it a great make-ahead meal option.
Easy Recipes That Bring Veggies to Your Table
Jamie Oliver’s spring soup recipe is a fantastic example of how easy recipes can be both nutritious and delicious. It encourages cooks to embrace a mix of fresh, jarred, and frozen ingredients, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.
Whether you’re new to cooking or looking for quick meals packed with flavor and goodness, this soup is a wonderful addition to your recipe collection.
For more inspiration, you can explore Jamie’s cookbook Eat Yourself Healthy, where this recipe is featured along with many others designed to help you enjoy vegetables in creative and tasty ways.
This article was created from the video Delightful Spring Soup | Jamie's Eat Yourself Healthy | Pre-Order Now! with the help of AI.
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