When you sit down at a dinner party table, part of the experience of the meal is shaped by the flow of food and drink as well as the exchange of conversation, or as I like to call it, “Table Talk.”
Adding something a little different to the scene, whether it is how the table is set, or offering your guests the opportunity to try a new food or cuisine from another country can really get the table talk going.
Can something like artichoke soup do the trick? Absolutely, especially when you serve it chilled, ”shooter style” and sip it out of little wobbly glasses.
This past weekend we hosted our supper club at our home, and I served this soup following our salad course. Its bright, crisp flavor, with hints of lemon provided a cleansing break between courses. The wobbly glasses from Crate and Barrel added a little fun, as we watched the soup roll around a little without spilling out.
The soup may be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated, which is always a plus in the process of organizing a dinner party.
Chilled Artichoke Soup
3 large globe artichokes
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Lemon wedges for garnish
Fill a large stock pot with 2-inches of water. Place a steamer basket over the water and add the artichokes, tip side up to the basket. Cover, and bring the water to a boil. Cook 30-40 minutes, or until the artichoke leaves may be removed easily. (You may also use a vegetable steamer to cook the artichokes.)
Allow the artichokes to cool slightly, then remove the leaves from the artichokes. Use a spoon to scrape the meat from the artichokes. Reserve the meat, discarding the scraped leaves. Remove the outer thistles from the center of the artichoke and add the heart to the reserved artichoke meat.
Place the artichoke meat, lemon juice, and chicken broth in a large saucepan, and bring up to a simmer over medium low heat. Simmer 5 minutes. Puree mixture using an immersion blender, or blend in a mixer, and return to pan. Add cream, sour cream, cumin, salt, and pepper to soup, whisking to combine. Chill soup several hours (or 1 day ahead ) in refrigerator.
Makes 8 (4 ounce) servings
A chilled artichoke soup sounds amazing, perfect starter for an elegant dinner party!
.-= 5 Star Foodie´s last blog ..Family Bites: Veal Stew with Sockarooni Sauce and Hot Buttered Noodles =-.
Artichokes are coming into season now. They are so nutritious. This recipe sounds like a great way to use them.
.-= Kristi Rimkus´s last blog ..Beer and Lime Marinated Chicken Stuffed Tortilla Bowls =-.
Thanks for the reminder that I really need to try to make artichokes. I’ve never done it!
I love how this is a soup you can prepare in advance, definitely perfect for entertaining. What a fun presentation!
.-= Liren´s last blog ..A Toast to Beauty =-.
What a pretty table you set!
yum, I love artichoke soups! never tried a chilled one though, it is a very elegant way to start a meal…and I love dishes that can be prepared in advance, what a luxury!
.-= citronetvanille´s last blog ..A VIRUS THAT MADE ME SICK =-.
What a lovely soup for a spring meal. Nice touch with the cumin.
.-= Liz Marr, MS, RD´s last blog ..Can I Make Backyard Vegetable Garden More Local? =-.
GORGEOUS table scape!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Grilled Salmon with Dijon-Walnut Sauce and Quinoa =-.
I love artichoke soup, but I have only had the hot kinds, this is so unique sounds wonderful~
.-= pegasuslegend´s last blog ..Chocolate Cream Pistachio Amaretto Meringue Tart Recipe =-.
Yum. Not had artichoke for awhile. memories.
.-= penny aka jeroxie´s last blog ..Delicious Vietnam – Smoked duck rice paper roll =-.
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Love artichokes. Never had a chilled artichoke soup though.
.-= Shree´s last blog ..Khandvi =-.
I am so loving this novel approach to serving cold soup. Bet your guests loved it too. Very clever to serve after the salad. Your table is stunning!
Oh, how delightful! And I love that brightly colored napkin.
.-= Alta´s last blog ..Daring Cooks: Stacked Green Chile & Grilled Chicken Enchiladas =-.
This artichoke soup looks wonderfully refreshing. Perfect for an elegant spring dinner.