Nettle Soup

[cheddarpaul]

Only pick the top 4 or 5 leaves from the nettle and stay away from roads - the more rural the plot, the less likely to get naff nettles....

1 pound of nettle leaves
2 Tbsps oil or butter
1 minced onion
4 tsps chopped chives
3 Tbsps flour
2 cups hot chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup water
2 tsps seasoned salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 cup cream

Heat oil or melt butter in soup pot. Sauté onion until soft. Add chives and flour and stir until blended. Slowly stir in stock, beating with wooden spoon until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, except cream, and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add cream and heat to just boiling. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed. Rub soup through a sieve into heated tureen. Sprinkle with nutmeg, if desired.

Enjoy....