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Vegetarian, Northern, Eastern and Western France

Hortillonnages garden soup with buttered toast

Hortillonnages garden soup is a vegetable soup from Amiens, made with peas, leeks, carrots, potatoes and lettuce. It serves 4, takes 40 minutes, is rated very easy and costs about €1.90 per person. The key is adding the lettuce only at the end of cooking to keep it fresh and bright green.

Tonight, a fresh soup from Amiens, with peas, leeks and lettuce, served with buttered toast.

Hortillonnages garden soup with buttered toast
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.90
Calories per person
630 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

This soup takes its name from the hortillonnages, the floating market gardens around Amiens in northern France. It's built on spring and summer vegetables, peas, leeks, carrots, potatoes, with an unexpected touch, lettuce, which gives the soup a vivid color and a fresh taste, far from the heavy winter purees you might expect.

It's a soup kids tend to like because it's mild and green without any bitterness. Make it on a weeknight when you want something light and simple, or on a summer Sunday evening with buttered baguette for everyone, kids and adults sharing the same bowl.

The ingredients

4 people

Frozen foods

  • Fresh or frozen peas 300 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Leeks 3
  • Carrots 2
  • Potatoes 300 g
  • Lettuce 1
  • Onion 1

Dairy

  • Butter 50 g

Pantry

  • Vegetable broth 1 liter
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Slice the onion and leeks and sweat them in half the butter.

    The vegetables should soften without browning.

  2. Add the diced carrots and potatoes, the broth, salt and pepper. 15 min

    Even dice cook at the same rate.

  3. Add the peas and continue cooking. 10 min

    Frozen peas can go straight into the soup.

  4. Add the shredded lettuce and blend the soup to your preferred texture. 5 min

    Leave a few chunky bits for some bite.

  5. Butter the baguette slices generously and serve them with the hot soup.

    Toast the bread if you want it crispy.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the carrots and potatoes into equal sized cubes so they cook at the same pace and none stay hard.
  • Blend the soup in small batches if your blender isn't very powerful, you'll get a smoother, more even texture.
  • Taste and adjust the salt after blending, the flavors concentrate differently once the soup comes together.

The variations

  • Swap the lettuce for fresh spinach, it brings the same freshness with a slightly stronger taste.
  • For a richer version, stir a spoonful of heavy cream into each bowl before serving.
  • For hurried kids, blend the soup completely smooth with no chunks, it's easier to spoon down quickly.

What to serve it with

  • Crispy buttered toast
  • Fresh goat cheese
  • A green salad starter

Storage

The soup keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, ideally without the lettuce, which you add fresh when reheating. Reheat gently on the stove, stirring occasionally.

Questions about this dish

Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh peas work very well, especially in season. Add them a bit earlier than frozen peas since they need a few extra minutes of cooking.

Do I need to peel the potatoes?

Yes, for this blended soup it's best to peel them for a smooth texture. The skin can leave stringy bits once blended.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

You can make the base without the lettuce a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Add the shredded lettuce when reheating to keep its color and freshness.

How can I turn this into a heartier meal?

Add a poached egg to each bowl or top it with melted grated cheese. Generously topped buttered toast also turns it into a full meal.

How long does it take to make a hortillonnages garden soup with buttered toast?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a hortillonnages garden soup with buttered toast?

About 630 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a hortillonnages garden soup with buttered toast cost?

About €1.90 per serving, or €7.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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