Enter your email & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from us every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Hurry the Food Up. Yep, arugula is rocket and rocket is arugula. It’s the same great leaf, whatever you call it. The name ‘arugula’ seems to have been brought to the US by Southern Italian immigrants – the Latin word for it is ‘Eruca’. (Here’s a short history if you want it). Coming to be known as ‘roquette’ in France, the English (always delighted to steal and change words from the French) took it and pronounced it the more palatable ‘rocket’. And so, we finally arrive at rocket soup. Or arugula soup, if you will.
Rocket Soup / Arugula Soup
This soup just has so much going for it! The main flavour is provided by the lovely, peppery rocket leaves, mixed with softly cooked onions and just a hint of a background mustard taste. The thick, bitey texture of the soup is provided by the potatoes and leek, and it’s very comforting and satisfying. Our favourite way to eat it is with a chopped cucumber mixed with a pinch of sugar and salt then drizzled over the top. It’s really refreshing and makes for a pleasing contrast. Naturally, this rocket soup is perfect as a starter or appetizer. It’s also definitely good as a main meal too, it just needs something extra with it. My personal favourite is to chop up some day-old bread and fry it in oil as croutons. Just before they’re done throw in a little pressed garlic and fry for another thirty seconds or so.
And finally – know your leaves
Rocket/Arugula leaves tend to fluctuate wildly in terms of flavour (and therefore enjoyment). If you’re not blown away by your rocket, try another brand, store or market. Shop around until you find a flavour you really like. Never forget to give your rocket a good wash before turning it into soup – grains of dirt love to linger in hidden pockets so be sure to get it all out first!
