S(t)ing For Your Supper

We’ve all heard about NETTLES and the virtues of ‘nettle soup’ but did you know that nettles beat both spinach and broccoli for vitamins and minerals? I didn't!
Not only that, they are rich in iron, they help arthritic pain, act as a natural liver detoxifier and are even an antihistamine!  And they are FREE! Whats not to love?!
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Get them in the next few weeks before they get tall and tough. The flavour changes when they approach flowering. You can use nettles anywhere you would use spinach; in a Risotto (add some sorrel, if you have it) in a Frittata or Omelette, or a Greek Spanakopitta.

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Polly’s Recipe for Nettle Soup (V)  Serves six.

Approx 150g nettle tops (half a carrier bag full)
40g knob of butter 
1 smallish onion, peeled and diced
1 large leek, trimmed, washed and finely sliced
1 celery stick, chopped or 1 carrot, chopped
1 large clove garlic, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp white rice, such as basmati
1 litre vegetable (or chicken) stock
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
6 heaped tbsp thick, plain yoghurt, to finish
1 small bunch chives, to garnish, or a few drops of Tabasco/Hot sauce

Pick over the nettles, wash them thoroughly and discard the tougher stalks. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium-low heat, add the onion, leek, celery (or carrot) and garlic, cover and sweat gently for 10 minutes, stirring a few times, until soft but not brown. 
Add the rice and stock, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Add the nettles, stirring them into the stock as they wilt, and simmer for five minutes or so, until the rice and the nettles are tender (very young nettle tops will need only two to three minutes). Season with plenty of salt and pepper.
Purée the soup in two batches, reheat if necessary and check the seasoning. Serve in warmed bowls, topping each portion with a large dollop of yoghurt and a generous sprinkling of snipped chives.