Nettle Soup

This is my revenge for all the times I get nettled when I'm out walking! *grins* You need the tops of very young nettles for this, before the stinging hairs develop and the plant gets tough and fibrous, so there's only a short period in the spring when you can enjoy this soup.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb potatoes
• 1/4 lb young nettles
• 1 oz butter
• 3/4 pt chicken or well-flavoured veggie stock
• 2 tbsp cream
• Sea salt & black pepper

Modus operandi:

1. Chop or dice the potatoes and boil them for 10 mins. Drain.
2. Wash the nettles and chop them. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stew the nettles for 5 mins.]Add the potatoes and stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins.
3. Purée in a blender until smooth. and season to taste.
4. Heat through and add the cream just before serving.