
Leek and spring greens soup with soft eggs and crispy capers
- Published: 20 Mar 25
- Updated: 20 Mar 25
This verdant leek and spring greens soup from chef Rosie Mackean can be made in advance, making it perfect for spring entertaining. Serve as the starter for a Mother’s Day dinner, topped with soft-boiled eggs.

Follow with Rosie’s picanha with parmesan fonduta for main and an incredible blueberry queen of puddings to finish to make her full Mother’s Day menu.
Ingredients
- 30g unsalted butter
- 4 leeks, finely sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 400g potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2cm cubes
- 1.5 litres vegetable or chicken stock, hot
- 500g spring greens, stalks removed and leaves shredded
- 10g tarragon leaves
- Finely grated zest ½ lemon
- 150ml double cream, plus extra to serve
For the toppings
- 6 medium eggs
- 50g unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp capers, drained
- Bread or toast to serve
Method
- Heat the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat, then add the leeks. Add a good pinch of salt and 1 tbsp water, then cover. Leave to steam and soften for around 8 minutes or so, then remove the lid and let any liquid evaporate. Add the garlic and soften for 2 minutes, then add the potatoes. Add the stock, bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or so until the potatoes are almost cooked.
- Add the spring greens and push them under the water so they’re completely submerged. Simmer the soup for a further 5-6 minutes until the greens have softened. Remove the pan from the heat, add the tarragon and lemon zest, then use a hand blender to whizz to a smooth consistency. Stir in the cream, then set aside until needed.
- For the eggs, bring a saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Lower in the eggs and boil for 6½ minutes. Prepare an ice bath and plunge the eggs into the iced water as soon as the timer goes off. Peel, then keep in a bowl of water until needed. When you are close to serving, dunk the eggs in a pan of just simmering water for 90 seconds to warm them without cooking them.
- For the capers, heat the butter in a frying pan over a medium heat until sizzling. Add the capers and fry until they start to open and the butter is golden. Keep warm over a very low heat.
- To serve, dish up bowls of the soup, drizzle with cream, then add a halved soft boiled egg and a smattering of the capers and their brown butter. Serve with bread or toast.
- Recipe from March 2025 Issue
Nutrition
- Calories
- 426kcals
- Fat
- 30g (16g saturated)
- Protein
- 13g
- Carbohydrates
- 22g (9g sugars)
- Fibre
- 7.4g
- Salt
- 2.2g
Buy ingredients online
Rate & review
Rate
Reviews
Subscribe to our magazine
Food stories, skills and tested recipes, straight to your door... Enjoy 5 issues for just £5 with our special introductory offer.
Subscribe
Unleash your inner chef
Looking for inspiration? Receive the latest recipes with our newsletter