Woodland Ramp and Potato Soup

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Nothing tastes better than a good batch of wild leeks (ramps)

and potato soup on this cold and sunny Earth Day.

The farmer dug a small batch from a neighbouring woodland

for this earthy soup ...

3 slices uncooked bacon - diced

2 slices cooked ham - chopped

1 Tbsp. butter

1 small onion - chopped

10-12 ramps, peeled cleaned and chopped (heads only)

6 potatoes - peeled and diced

4 Cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock

salt and pepper to taste

1 Cup milk

1/4 Cup sour cream

a few ramp leaves chopped - for garnish

In Dutch Oven, fry the chopped bacon until crisp, remove, set aside and pour off the fat.

Add butter, onions and ramps - saute for a few minutes

Add the broth and bring to a simmer.

Stir in the chopped potatoes and simmer till fork tender

Mash or puree the potatoes and broth.

Return the bacon and add ham to the soup, reserving some for garnish. Heat through.

Add the milk and sour cream and serve.

Garnish with chopped ramp leaves and crumbles of bacon

The soup was tasty - however, now the house has that
lingering "old people's" pungent garlicky smell.
Oh well, no one is coming over for a visit any time soon
and besides - we are the old people - smile!

The sourdough bread turned out really good today.
It may have upstaged the soup!

In spite of not having any of the "required" equipment,

such as the proofing bannetons (baskets) etc.,

I think I'm finally getting onto it?

So glad I didn't give up on this fermented goodness.

It tasted delicious with the soup.

Hosta Leaf design?

I think sourdough baking could become my distraction during this pandemic?
As long as I can find flour ... the store shelves are still scarce on baking supplies.


Do you have a covid-19 distraction these days?
Are you and your loved ones managing OK?

Till next time  - trying to stay positive!