Spinach and Mint Soup (Tribute to Evan Kleiman)

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups chicken stock preferably homemade. You can use boxed but I won’t respect you in the morning.
• 1 green garlic head including tender green parts (if you can’t find garlic and you probably won’t, substitute 2 scallions and 2 garlic cloves)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil (and if you ever refer to it as EVOO I’m going to come down there and smack you with Maxwell’s silver hammer and it will leave a mark).
• 1 or 2 large new, white potatoes.
• 2 tsp pimenton de la vera or piment d’esplette.
• 2 bunches fresh spinach*
• A bunch of cilantro, chopped. Sorry you cilantro sissies, but it’s essential to the flavor. Don’t leave it out.
• 1 tbs crushed and lightly toasted pistachio nuts
• A big bunch of fresh mint, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion