Ultimate Creamy Arugula Spinach Soup: A Wholesome & Easy Vegetarian Delight
As spring breathes new life into the world, with birds filling the air with song and the sun gracing us with its gentle warmth, there’s no better time to celebrate the season’s bounty with a truly refreshing dish. Today, we’re diving into a recipe for a real spring soup, bursting with vibrant flavors and healthy goodness. This delightful Arugula Spinach Soup is a testament to the beauty of seasonal eating, a culinary philosophy championed by experts like Sarah Raven, whose cookbook “Eat with Family and Friends” remains one of my absolute favorites. Her emphasis on seasonal, approachable recipes perfectly aligns with the ethos of this delicious, easy-to-make soup.
This Arugula Spinach Soup isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It beautifully combines the creamy richness of fresh spinach with the distinctive peppery kick of arugula (also known as rocket), creating a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and invigorating. Both of these incredible greens are at their peak during spring, harvested in abundance, making this recipe not just tasty but also wonderfully fresh and sustainable. The marriage of the smooth spinach and the zesty arugula truly elevates this soup, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet-like experience that’s deceptively easy to achieve in your own kitchen.
It’s a good taste!
Why This Arugula Spinach Soup is a Springtime Must-Have
Beyond its incredible flavor, this soup offers a wealth of benefits that make it an ideal choice for a light lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even an elegant starter. Its vegetarian nature means it’s accessible to a wide audience, and its ease of preparation makes it perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend cooking. Here’s why this creamy, wholesome soup deserves a spot in your recipe rotation:
- Seasonal Freshness: Utilizing fresh spinach and arugula when they are most abundant ensures the best flavor and nutritional value.
- Rich in Nutrients: Both spinach and arugula are powerhouses of vitamins (A, C, K, folate), minerals (iron, calcium), and antioxidants, contributing to overall well-being.
- Wonderfully Filling: The addition of potatoes and a touch of crème fraîche creates a satisfyingly creamy texture that will leave you feeling full and content without being heavy.
- Effortlessly Delicious: Despite its sophisticated taste, the recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare, proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated.
- Versatile & Adaptable: While perfect as is, this soup also serves as an excellent base for various customizations to suit your preference or dietary needs.
Embrace the vibrant flavors of spring with this delightful Arugula Spinach Soup. It’s a celebration of fresh produce and simple, wholesome cooking that promises to nourish both body and soul.
The Star Ingredients: Arugula and Spinach
Arugula: The Peppery Powerhouse
Arugula, often called rocket, is more than just a garnish; it’s a leafy green with a distinct, slightly bitter, peppery flavor that adds incredible depth to dishes. Native to the Mediterranean, arugula is celebrated for its culinary versatility and impressive nutritional profile. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, calcium, and magnesium. The unique compounds in arugula, such as glucosinolates, are also associated with various health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this soup, arugula’s vibrant taste cuts through the creaminess, providing a delightful zing that brightens the entire dish.
Spinach: The Versatile Green Hero
Spinach is a universally beloved leafy green, famous for its mild, earthy flavor and remarkable nutritional content. Rich in iron, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate, spinach contributes significantly to bone health, blood clotting, and overall immune function. Its ability to cook down significantly makes it perfect for creamy soups, where it imparts a beautiful green color and a velvety texture without overpowering other flavors. Together with arugula, spinach forms the hearty, healthful foundation of this soup, ensuring every spoonful is packed with goodness.
Crafting the Perfect Arugula Spinach Soup: Tips and Tricks
While the recipe is straightforward, a few tips can help you achieve the best possible results and truly make this soup shine:
- Choosing Your Potatoes: The recipe calls for “floury potatoes,” which are excellent for creating a thick, creamy soup base. Varieties like Russet or Idaho potatoes are perfect choices. Their high starch content breaks down easily, lending a naturally rich texture without needing excessive cream. If you only have waxy potatoes, the soup will still be delicious but might have a slightly thinner consistency.
- Quality Stock Matters: A good quality vegetable stock is crucial. It forms the backbone of your soup’s flavor. You can use homemade stock for the freshest taste or a good store-bought organic option. Low-sodium varieties allow you to control the seasoning more precisely.
- Don’t Overcook the Greens: Spinach and arugula cook very quickly. Adding them towards the end and simmering for just a minute preserves their vibrant color and fresh flavor. Overcooking can lead to a duller color and a loss of their delicate taste and nutrients.
- Achieving Creaminess: Using a blender (immersion or standing) is key to a silky-smooth soup. Blend until absolutely no chunks remain. For an extra luxurious texture, you can pass the puréed soup through a fine-mesh sieve, though this is usually unnecessary with a good blender.
- Crème Fraîche Alternatives: While crème fraîche adds a lovely tangy richness, you can easily substitute it with heavy cream for a richer flavor, or Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier option (be careful not to boil after adding yogurt, or it might curdle). For a vegan version, full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative works wonderfully, adding a subtle sweetness that complements the greens.
- Seasoning to Taste: Nutmeg, salt, and pepper are essential for balancing the flavors. Freshly grated nutmeg offers a warmer, more aromatic note. Always taste and adjust seasonings before serving, as individual preferences vary.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
This Arugula Spinach Soup is fantastic on its own, but it can also be dressed up or down to suit any occasion.
Serving Ideas:
- Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty baguette or sourdough is perfect for dipping and soaking up every last drop.
- Garnish Galore: A swirl of extra crème fraîche or a drizzle of good quality olive oil, a sprinkle of fresh herbs (like chives or parsley), or a scattering of homemade croutons can elevate the presentation and add extra texture.
- Toasted Nuts or Seeds: For a delightful crunch and added nutrition, top your soup with toasted pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or even some crushed walnuts.
- Side Salad: Pair it with a light, simple side salad for a balanced and complete meal.
Variations to Explore:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when sautéing the garlic for a bit of heat.
- Lemon Zest: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest at the end can further brighten the flavors.
- Other Greens: Feel free to experiment with other leafy greens like kale (blanch first for tenderness), collard greens, or even watercress for different flavor profiles.
- Cheese Twist: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a dollop of goat cheese swirled in just before serving can add a luxurious, savory note.
- Vegan Delight: As mentioned, replace butter with vegan butter or more olive oil, and crème fraîche with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream.
No matter how you choose to enjoy it, this Arugula Spinach Soup promises a nourishing and incredibly flavorful experience.
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
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Ingredients
- 20 grams butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 200 grams potatoes , floury (e.g., Russet)
- 500 ml vegetable stock
- 500 grams spinach
- 150 grams arugula (rocket)
- 125 ml crème fraîche
- nutmeg , freshly grated, to taste
- salt and freshly ground pepper , to taste.
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Cut the potatoes into 1×1 cm cubes.
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In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the finely chopped shallot and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
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Turn the heat to low and continue to braise for about 3 minutes, ensuring the shallot softens without browning.
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Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for just another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
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Pour in the vegetable stock and add the cubed potatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
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Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender. Then, add the fresh spinach and arugula (rocket).
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Simmer for just 1 minute until the greens are wilted. Immediately remove the pan from the heat to preserve their vibrant color.
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Carefully blend the soup until completely smooth using an immersion blender directly in the pot, or by transferring it in batches to a standing blender.
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Stir in the crème fraîche until well combined. Season generously to taste with freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
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Gently heat the soup over low heat until warmed through, but do not bring it to a boil after adding the crème fraîche to prevent curdling. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Final Thoughts on this Wholesome Soup
This Arugula Spinach Soup is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients transformed into something truly comforting and delicious. Its simplicity belies its depth of flavor, making it a perfect addition to your healthy eating repertoire. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a wholesome lunch, or a flavorful starter for a spring gathering, this soup fits the bill perfectly. It embodies the essence of mindful eating—savoring natural flavors and nourishing your body with goodness.
We hope you enjoy preparing and sharing this wonderful vegetarian soup as much as we do. It’s a taste of spring in every spoonful, offering warmth, nutrition, and pure culinary delight.