Lemon-Verbena Clear Broth with Edible Flowers
A delicate, transparent soup infused with lemon and verbena, floating with edible flowers for a refreshing, light experience. This french-inspired soups ready in about 25 minutes pairs chicken stock, lemon juice, finely chopped fresh verbena leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 65 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh verbena leaves
- 6, for garnish edible pansies
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups chicken stock, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh verbena leaves, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and let infuse for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing gently on the verbena leaves to extract flavor. Discard solids.
- Step 3: Return strained broth to the saucepan and heat gently until simmering (do not boil). Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, then ladle into bowls and garnish with 6 edible pansies per serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Verbena Clear Broth with Edible Flowers take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lemon-Verbena Clear Broth with Edible Flowers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken stock from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Verbena Clear Broth with Edible Flowers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lemon-Verbena Clear Broth with Edible Flowers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Lemon-Verbena Clear Broth with Edible Flowers?
French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the light, aromatic broth. My family enjoyed it as a starter before our French dinner.
- ★★★★★
The lemon-verbena flavor was refreshing and the edible flowers made it look stunning. Served it to my guests and they raved!
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for a spring meal! The verbena was subtle and the lemon brightened it up. However, the flowers were hard to find at the market.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
