CHILLED GARLIC AND SPINACH SOUP

Chilled Garlic and Spinach Soup image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 3h

Yield Makes 6 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 to 4 heads fresh garlic (enough for 3 tablespoons)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Coarse salt
2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
6 to 10 green garlic stems, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 cup)
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 pound baby spinach (6 packed cups)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, plus small leaves for garnish
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place fresh garlic heads on parchment-lined foil, drizzle with oil, and season with salt. Wrap in foil, and roast until tender, about 40 minutes. Let cool, then squeeze out garlic, discarding skins. Place 1/4 cup yogurt in a bowl, and stir in 2 teaspoons roasted garlic.
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, and saute green garlic until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Let cool.
Transfer broth mixture to a blender. Add remaining yogurt and half the spinach, and puree. Add remaining spinach, the basil, and 2 tablespoons roasted garlic (reserve remainder for another use), and puree. Add lemon juice, and season with salt. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Before serving, top with a little roasted-garlic yogurt and basil.