We loved this spinach soup with and without the melting butterballs, which are a nice addition but by no means essential. Green soup makes us feel good about ourselves (even if there is some cream and butter in it).
Swedish spinach soup with egg butterballs – serves 6
FOR THE BUTTERBALLS:
- 115g butter
- yolks of 3 hard-boiled eggs
FOR THE SOUP:
- 25g butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 40g long-grain white rice
- 1 litre chicken stock
- 500g spinach
- 150ml double cream
- juice of ½ lemon
To make the butterballs, mash the butter and egg yolks together and season with salt and black pepper. Roll into 2.5cm balls, then cover with clingfilm and put into your fridge.
To make the soup, melt the butter in a large saucepan and sweat the onion over a low heat with the lid on for about 10 minutes or until soft but not coloured. Add a splash of water if the pan looks dry. Add the rice and stock and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Add the spinach and push down into the pan with a wooden spoon as it wilts. Bring to the boil, season and cook for 6 minutes, stirring, then cool.
Whizz the soup until smooth, then add the cream. Return to a saucepan to heat and add a squeeze of lemon juice and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with the melting butterballs on top.
(Original recipe from Food From Plenty by Diana Henry, Mitchell Beazley, 2011.)
Jono & Jules do food & wine 
Beautiful & healthy soup !