Ingredients Two small or one large lettuce 1 small onion 20 fl oz (1pt) vegetable or chicken stock, or water 5 fl oz (1/4pt) milk 25g (1oz) unsalted butter a little cream to finish 1 tbsp chives salt and pepper Method Separate the lettuce leaves and wash

Ingredients

Two small or one large lettuce

1 small onion

20 fl oz (1pt) vegetable or chicken stock, or water

5 fl oz (1/4pt) milk

25g (1oz) unsalted butter

a little cream to finish

1 tbsp chives

salt and pepper

Method

Separate the lettuce leaves and wash very well, drain and chop roughly.

Peel and chop the onion. Melt the butter in a large pan, add half the lettuce leaves and the onion, cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the lettuce is much reduced and the onion soft. Add the stock or water, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 10 min. Add the rest of the lettuce leaves and bring to the boil again.

Add the milk, stir well to mix. Pour the soup into a blender and puree until smooth.

Return to the pan, add salt and pepper to taste. Reheat, and when ready to serve, add a swirl of cream and a sprinkling of chopped chives to each dish.

Enough for two generous helpings.

JUDY BROADWAY