Gründonnerstagsuppe
(Green Thursday Soup)

I found it interesting reading about a tradition in Germany called Gründonnerstagsuppe or Green Thursday Soup consisting of 7 0r 9 green herbs, which is served on Gründonnerstag or Maundy Thursday. It is coincidence that grün means green because both Maundy and the word greinen has to do with mourning or in the case of Maundy it is also believed to come from begging.

The tradition itself is more about the green being a symbol for new life, after a long hard winter, the new green herbs give us enrichment for life.

Ingredients: 1 cup diced onion 6 cloves minced garlic 2 Tablespoons Olive oil 1 quart vegetable or chicken stock 2 medium potatoes diced a good hand full of 7-9 different herbs 1 / 2 cup milk or cream Sour cream for garnish. Salt and pepper Here are the 9 herbs I used; 1 leek sliced (separate white and green into two piles) handful Celery tops Basil, Curly Parsley, Arugula, Watercress, Dill Weed, Spinach, Cauliflower Greens   Directions: 1. Cook the garlic, and white part of the leek in the olive oil till tender. 2. Add the stock and diced potatoes, green parts of the leek and simmer till the potatoes are tender. 3. Add the herbs and cook for 10 minutes. 4. Puree soup in a blender, food processor or with the hand immersion blender as I am doing now. I blend for a good long time until the soup is light and silky smooth. 5. Add the milk or cream, and season with salt and pepper. 6. Serve topped with some herbs and a dollop of sour cream.