Cilantro Soup

From Kate Hochslauer and Hacee Southam

Serves 8

Kate and Hacee quadrupled this recipe for Soup & Bread — which meant 20 bunches of cilantro went into their vibrant, fresh-tasting Mexican soup, found in a 2009 episode of Gourmet’s Adventures With Ruth. Something about the combo of almonds, chicken broth, and cream keeps the herb from overpowering the mix. Even cilantro-haters might be converted.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds cilantro (5 large bunches)
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces blanched almonds (1 ½ cups)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chopped white onion
1/2 cup chopped leek
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup dry white wine
3 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt

Preparation
Cut bottom 2 inches of stems from cilantro bunches, then rinse well in several changes of cold water and drain.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add cilantro, pushing it under water. Cook 3 minutes, then drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain, pressing water from cilantro, then chop.

Puree cilantro with 3 cups chicken broth, in batches if necessary, until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Pour through a medium mesh sieve set over a large bowl, pressing hard on solids. (If you have a lot of solids left, return to blender with the remaining cup of chicken broth and blend again. Strain into bowl.)

Heat olive oil in a medium heavy skillet over medium heat, then add almonds and cook, stirring, until golden, 5 to 8 minutes. Reserve.

Heat butter in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over medium-low heat, then add onion, leek, and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine in a slow stream, stirring, and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in milk in a slow stream, then add salt and bring to a simmer, stirring. Remove from heat.

Put milk mixture and fried almonds in blender, in batches if necessary, and blend until smooth, at least 3 minutes per batch.

Return milk mixture to pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring (be careful the bottom doesn’t burn). Stir in cilantro liquid and return to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt to taste.