Watercress Soup

This soup is similar to the leek-and-potato-based soup, but because it isn’t pureed it can be put together in 10 or 15 minutes. I sometimes throw the whole thing together after the guests have arrived. It’s delicious and doubly impressive because it’s so informal and effortless. You can also use this recipe as a model for last-minute improvised soups—just substitute other vegetables for the watercress, keeping in mind that the cooking times for some vegetables will be much longer.