Nettle Soup with Bacon for 4 People
½ bag (approx. 250 grams) young nettle shoots from the forest floor – pick them as far away from dog walkers as possible
4 large potatoes
4 carrots
1½ onions
2 cloves garlic
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 liter boiling water
½ bottle cremefine (cream substitute)
1-2 packs of bacon strips
served with bread or baguette.
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Instructions for Nettle Soup with Bacon
Pick/cut the new shoots from the forest floor. Maxiflex gloves are excellent for this purpose, as they give you good control over the scissors and ensure you only get the top shoots with as little stem as possible. – oh yes, and a bonus: you won’t get stung on your hands.
Rinse the nettles thoroughly, preferably in smaller batches using a colander and running water. There are often small insects in the shoots, which will wash out through the larger holes in the colander. Keep your gloves on for this task. Some suggest rinsing nettles with boiling water, but why waste energy when you can easily handle them with gloves on.
Even if you have cut the top shoots with minimal stem, it’s a very good idea to trim them further. The leaves can be blended finely and achieve a consistency like creamed spinach, while the stems cause stringiness in your soup.
Peel and cut onions, potatoes, and carrots into smaller pieces – this way they cook faster and become tender.
Heat oil or butter in a pot and first sauté the onions, then add the nettles. After stirring them for about five minutes, add the potatoes, carrots, one liter of boiling water, and your chicken bouillon. Let the dish simmer for 25 minutes with the lid on.
While everything is cooking, you can prepare your bacon in the microwave. If you want a low-fat but tasty result and without the bacon smell throughout the house, do it like this: On a flat plate, place two pieces of paper towel. Lay the bacon strips side by side on the paper. When the plate is full, place two more pieces of paper towel on top of the strips. Set the microwave to full power and cook your bacon for about 4-6 minutes. Open it a few times during cooking to make sure it doesn’t burn. When done, you’ll have the crispiest bacon and the paper towels will have absorbed all the excess fat. Repeat the process until all your bacon is ready.
When everything is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and blend it for a few minutes. You’re done when you can feel it has a uniform, beautiful green color and is free of lumps. Add cremefine and bring it to a boil once.
Warm bread or baguettes in the toaster and crumble your crispy bacon into a small bowl so your guests can add as much as they like. The dish is ready to serve,
– Enjoy your nettle soup with bacon
Important knowledge or trivial info?
- According to the Danish Medicines Agency, there is a risk of allergic reactions if you eat nettle.
- If you get stung, nettle has its own antidote. Squeeze some of the juice out and apply it to the spot where you were stung. It works!
- Researchers have proven that nettle has a high content of flavonoids. Flavonoids combat inflammation, so nettle can be used to treat arthritis. Nettle can also be used to treat enlarged prostate. The root of nettle contains steroids that inhibit the enzyme in the body that causes the prostate gland to grow.
- It is especially good for nursing mothers to eat nettle, as it is not only rich in vitamins and minerals but also stimulates milk production. Since nettle also has a high iron content, it is good for treating anemia.
- It contains vitamins A & C, and there is no Danish herb richer in the so-called nutrients calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and silica.
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