Watercress soup

0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5 0 rating(s)
Healthy watercress soup recipe

A wartime favourite that's still a great, nutritious soup!

30 minutes

Serves 4

Sarah Drabble

Recipe by: Sarah Drabble | Healthy You Editor

Did you know that during World War II when rationing was in place, people were encouraged to grow watercress at home to boost vitamin C intake, as part of the Dig for Victory campaign?

Sarah Drabble

Recipe by: Sarah Drabble | Healthy You Editor

Did you know that during World War II when rationing was in place, people were encouraged to grow watercress at home to boost vitamin C intake, as part of the Dig for Victory campaign?

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 medium leeks, trimmed and sliced
  • 2 large, floury baking potatoes (such as King Edwards or maris pipers), trimmed and diced
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 80g watercress
  • 500ml reduced-salt vegetable stock
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 250ml skimmed milk

CALORIES: 202

FAT: 3.8g

5 A DAY: 0.5

SALT: 0.1g

SUGAR: 5.4g

Method

  1. Warm the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the leek and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened but not browned.
  2. Add the potatoes, smoked paprika and half of the watercress. Stir before adding the stock and seasoning with black pepper. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat, cover and allow to simmer until the potatoes are cooked through.
  3. Remove from the heat. Add the remaining watercress and the milk. Mix and then blend with a hand-held blender or food processor (be careful as the soup stays hot for a long time).

Top tip: serve with wholemeal bread, toast or rolls.

Why not try another super soup?

Panzanella soup: served hot or cold and made with peppers, tomato and cucumberTomato, kale and bean | Panzanella | Rustic Italian | Roast parsnip | Leek and sweet potato

Get a free cookbook

From simple stews to light bites, we have a series of free recipe books for you

Choose your recipe book

Diet, weight and cancer

LEARN ABOUT OUR CANCER PREVENTION RESEARCH

We need you
Help us continue to fund groundbreaking research
Food for thought
Healthy tips, expert advice and our A–Z of fruit and veg
We're social
Find out more about us and share what's cooking in your home
Reduce your risk
Evidence-based information to help reduce your risk of cancer