Nettles for health: Rediscovering the benefits of nettle soup

Perhaps some of us remember hearing about nettle soup for the first time. Is it a joke? Is Grandma joking when she talks about such a dish? Well, it might have seemed that way because so far, our experiences with nettles have been—to put it mildly—not the best. Could the same plant that stung our legs during forest treks and football games in the meadows be the main ingredient of a tasty and nutritious soup? Yes, it's true!

As we mentioned earlier, nettle soup offers a great, refreshing taste and has many health benefits. In this context, it's worth noting its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Nettles work wonders for the human immune system while regulating blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. They are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K, each positively affecting the body's functioning.

Nettle soup is thus a wonderful representative of old-fashioned cuisine, the kind not often experienced in big cities. It's worth giving in to such a return to roots. If not for health, then at least for the taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 200 grams of nettle leaves and stems,
• 1 litre of broth,
• 1 onion,
• 1 carrot,
• 4 potatoes,
• 1 tablespoon of butter,
• 1 tablespoon of plain flour,
• 2 tablespoons of cream,
• 1 egg yolk,
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice,
• salt to taste.

Method of preparation:

1. Blanch the nettles in boiling water (the temperature will stop the stinging) and chop them. Grate the carrot on the large holes of a grater, peel and dice the potatoes. Finely chop the onion.
2. Heat the butter in a pot. Sauté the onion until translucent, then add the flour and mix.
3. Next, add the nettle, carrot, and potatoes. Sauté for a moment and then pour in the broth. Cook for about 25 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
4. At the end of cooking, add a mixture of the egg yolk and cream to the soup and mix. Season with salt and lemon juice, and it's ready. Enjoy your meal!