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watercress, turnip and blue cheese soup

26 January 2016 by Dominic Franks

… when we first moved to Belleau about 12 years ago I remember being told by a local that the area used to be famous for its watercress beds and in fact there is still wild watercress growing in the chalk stream in the field opposite the cottage… then, last week when I posted a picture of my watercress delivery from the lovely people at Love Watercress, Sarah, the lady who we bought the cottage from sent me some more info about it.  It turns out that watercress was grown at Belleau between 1911 and 1970 by three generations of the same family. The watercress was taken by donkey cart to the Aby station for dispatch to markets in the north of England. The pure spring water, which ran through the watercress beds, provided a perfect growing medium, but sadly, severe river flooding in 1968 and 1969, coupled with the closure of the Grimsby to Peterborough railway line caused its demise… I love this little bit of history about my insignificant little village and what a shame that such a successful business was ruined by the foolish choices of ‘men in power’ making decisions about the national infrastructure…

so when I received the watercress to the cottage it was a little like sending coals to Newcastle but never one to turn down some glorious fresh green stuff I greedily accepted… I adore watercress.  Its peppery, earthy taste compliments many rich dishes such as beef and oily fish but its versatility as one of those vegetables that works as both a salad herb that can be eaten raw and a green vegetable that can be cooked into soups and stews that I love so much.  There is nothing more wonderful than a simple fresh watercress sandwich on dark rye bread with perhaps a slither of mild blue cheese but it’s this classic soup that I haven’t had in a long time that I had to turn to this time…

watercress, turnip and blue cheese soup
I adore this soup.  It comes from my grandma Sylvia and it’s THE soup that reminds me of Sunday lunches at her house when we were kids.  The whole London-based family would get together and run riot at grandma and grandpa’s house… knees were scraped… fights broke out (and not just between the kids) there were tears of joy and pain… endless games of cricket and rounders in the summer and never-ending games of Monopoly on the colder and rainy days… plays were written and performed on the double bed in the spare room… and of course most importantly great food was eaten.  It was always a three course Sunday roast, staring with soup and then tea and cake was always served at 4pm.  There were many soups but this was my absolute favourite…

1 medium onion – finely chopped
3 large turnips – fist sized (man fists) – peeled and diced
3 salad bags of watercress – roughly 300g
1 litre good quality vegetable stock
100g mild and creamy blue cheese such as Saint Agur or Cambozola
a little butter and olive oil
salt and pepper

heat a little butter and olive oil in a large pan and throw in the onions.  let them sweat for roughly 5 mins until they begin to soften and turn translucent, then add the turnips, stir and let them sizzle a little in the heat before placing the lid on and letting them gently sweat until soft – roughly eight mins with a few stirs in between to stop them sticking.

take the lid off and lay the watercress on top without stirring and place the lid back on.  Let the watercress wilt till very soft – roughly 5 mins, then season well with salt and pepper, add the stock and let the whole thing gently bubble away for 15 minutes

turn off the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes before whizzing with a stick blender until smooth, then add the blue cheese and whizz again until it has all melted into the soup… serve immediately

eat and of course, enjoy!

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Filed Under: Everything else Tagged With: blue cheese, fresh, healthy, healthy eating, local, soup, turnips, watercress, winter warmers

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Comments

  1. Felicity says

    26 January 2016 at 2:39 pm

    A bowl full of goodness, peppery and delicious. Nothing insignificant about Belleau, I love the place.

  2. Mummy says

    26 January 2016 at 5:50 pm

    Good memories Dom xx

  3. Ethan W. says

    27 January 2016 at 7:20 am

    Loving this, it reminds me of summer!

  4. belleau kitchen says

    27 January 2016 at 7:37 am

    Thanks E. It is rather a special place xx

  5. belleau kitchen says

    27 January 2016 at 7:37 am

    Xxxx

  6. belleau kitchen says

    27 January 2016 at 7:38 am

    Yes. It is a very summery soup.

  7. Tricia Buice says

    27 January 2016 at 11:35 pm

    What a fabulous memory of your grandmother and a super history lesson of your little village. It sounds like something out of the movies 🙂 Love the soup!

  8. belleau kitchen says

    28 January 2016 at 10:09 am

    Thanks Tricia…I do love a recipe with a bit of a back story!

  9. Mark Willis says

    28 January 2016 at 10:27 am

    Your tale of the watercress industry is very reminiscent of the situation here. Watercress was produced in the Alresford area of Hampshire and shipped up to London by train. The firm called “Vitacress” still produces the watercress in this area, but the method of distribution has changed. However there is still a short section of railway on which you can enjoy an excursion on a steam-powered train. Unsurprisingly, it is called The Watercress Line”!

  10. kellie@foodtoglow says

    28 January 2016 at 8:32 pm

    I LOVE this “bitey” naturally peppery soup, especially with the complement of blue cheese. Very slurpable. And even better that it is a family recipe. Comfort times 2!

  11. belleau kitchen says

    29 January 2016 at 8:40 am

    you're fortunate your watercress line is still working… it's a shame all these industries had to end… thanks for the comment

  12. belleau kitchen says

    29 January 2016 at 8:40 am

    thanks Kellie… yes, a warm hug in a bowl!

  13. John says

    29 January 2016 at 10:39 am

    Looking Like It reminds me Summer,really interesting recipes, delicious photos..

  14. Kate Glutenfreealchemist says

    29 January 2016 at 10:59 pm

    I love it when you get little clips of the past that shed on the history of significant places. Always makes me want a time machine to go see for myself!
    As for stories from childhood…… always find them fascinating. Sounds like life at grandmas house was a riot!
    Loving the soup too….. watercress gives a lovely heat kick and is fab with blue cheese…. Cambozola is one of my faves at the moment!

  15. Choclette Blogger says

    31 January 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Oh I didn't know you were on a railway line too. Such a damn shame about all those closures. Wouldn't it have been great to be able to commute by train? Maybe! Love watercress soup. Can't believe I've missed so many of your posts – where has January gone. Will be back tomorrow to finish the rest.

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About Dom In The Kitchen

My name is Dominic, I am a cook, food writer and creative event producer. I write the food blog Dom In The Kitchen and also write a monthly recipe column for Lincolnshire Life Magazine and Good Taste Magazine. I also run creative event production company The Persuaders, producing global events for brands since 1997. I am based both in the small village of Belleau in Lincolnshire and the smaller village of London! Read More…

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