Soup!

I am ready for fall which makes me think of soup. I got an email from Cuisine at Home with this soup recipe and decided to try it. I made it over 2 nights because I had a busy week and it worked beautifully.

I think you have to sign up with Cuisine at Home to get the recipes so here's the link if you're interested. http://www.cuisineathome.com/

Spinach Artichoke Soup my way

1 large leek, thinly sliced
1 large garlic clove, peeled and smashed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1 can artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and quartered
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 dry white wine
2-3 cups chicken stock
1 cup half and half
1 cup skim milk
5 ounces fresh spinach, washed and stems removed
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Saute leeks and garlic in olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat for about 2 minutes. Add chicken and artichokes and cook another 2 minutes. Stir in flour and continue cooking for about 1 minute.

Add white wine and simmer until nearly evaporated. Stir in 2 1/2 cups of the chicken stock, half and half and milk. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and and add spinach and cheese. Stir until spinach wilts. Add more stock if it too thick. Using a hand held blender chop up some of the spinach and other ingredients slightly. Season with the salt and pepper to taste.

This is a wonderful 1 pot meal. You could round it out with some crusty bread and fruit and a nice glass of wine. My current favorite is White 4 by Vina Robles in Paso Robles. It's a blend of Viognier, Verdelho,Vermentio and Sauvignon Blanc. Amazing! http://www.vinarobles.com/index.php

If you are going to make it over 2 nights do not add the chicken, spinach or Parmesan cheese the 1st night. Add those ingredients the 2nd night by bringing the soup to a simmer, then adding the chicken, spinach and cheese. Thin with more stock if necessary and blend slightly with a hand held blender. If you don't have one the original recipe did not call for this step. If you would like your soup creamier you could put the soup in a blender or food processor or chop the spinach and chicken finely before cooking. Either way the flavors are delicious and warming.

Enjoy!