(Rocket/Arugula Soup)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 medium potato, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground tumeric
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 4 cups homemade vegetable stock
• 7 ounces arugula
• 7 ounces fresh spinach
• 1 ounce cilantro sprigs (about 1/2 packed cup)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Creme Fraiche

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add onion and cook until soft, stirring often, add spices and garlic. Cook for several minutes.   Add potato and stock, and bring to a simmer. Cook until potato is tender, about 10 minutes.

Add spinach, cilantro, and remaining arugula to pan. Bring to a simmer over medium, and cook 10 minutes. Working in batches, transfer soup to a blender. Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece of lid to allow steam to escape. Place a clean kitchen towel over opening. Process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, and divide among 4 bowls.

Put creme fraiche into a piping bag and pipe in a swirl on top.  Tope with arugula or micro-greens. 

Vegetable stock can be made ahead and frozen.  

Vegetable Stock:

1 large onion. 2 stalks celery, including some leaves, 2 large carrots, 2 leeks, chopped, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 5 sprigs fresh parsley, 5 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 bay leaves, 2 teaspoon salt, 2 tsp whole black peppercorns. Chop scrubbed vegetables into 1-inch chunks. You do not need to peel carrots.

Add veggies, water, peppercorns, and bay leaves to your slow cooker.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours (or on high 4-5 hours), until the broth is golden and the veggies are very tender.

Remove the lid from the slow cooker and let the broth cool for a bit. Put a fine mesh strainer over a roasting pan. Push vegetables with a wooden spoon to release all the stock. Discard Vegetables.

Keeps refrigerated in an airtight container for about 5 days, or you can freeze it. I put it into  large mason jars leaving about two inches on top and defrost in the microwave when ready to use.