Everybody I know is tired of winter and in this season of renewal, there is a German soup recipe that my friend, Stephen Block posted on his website, THE KITCHEN PROJECT.   http://www.kitchenproject.com/GermanGoodies/2015/April2-2015.htm

It is served on Holy Thursday and is a reminder of new life. I bet it must be wonderful with greens foraged from the garden or fields like creesy greens, dandelion and maybe a ramp or wild garlic thrown in. I’m making it tomorrow and will let you know what I think.

4 servings

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

Excellent served with potato pancakes or crusty bread.

One of his friends sent him her favorite Potato Pancake recipe . This is how I make it and oh boy, GOOD!

Kartoffelpfannkuchen
(Potato Pancakes)

This is Barb Rokitka’s favorite style of doing potato pancakes. She recommends using a solid shortening like Crisco.

4 Servings
Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups potatoes,(2 large) *
3 cups ,water
1 teaspoon lemon juice

12 Tablespoons grated onion
1 potato,boiled, mashed
1 egg,large 2 med. , beaten
2 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 vegetable oil,as needed
1 stick butter or Crisco is optional for extra crispiness.
Sour cream and applesauce (for garnish)