I’m usually busy fiddling with a cake recipe here, or sharing my thoughts about alternatives to refined sugar, but today’s post is all about soup.
I know. Boring, right? Friends know that I often say that soup is an appetizer at best, certainly not a meal. “Soup is sad,” my friend Charlotte said once. “It reminds me of the orphanage in the movie Oliver.” We laughed, but what she said resonated with me
I can’t say I’m in love with soup today, but my relationship with it has come a long way. I understand now that soup is easily digestible, and nutrient rich. And on a cold winter day, it can be the ultimate comfort food.
What changed my mind? This Creamy Parsnip Soup recipe I discovered years ago. It starts with butter, but you can easily swap that out with a good vegan substitute (I recommend Miyoko’s vegan butter). And it’s perfect as a meal or as an appetizer. Enjoy!
Creamy parsnip soup
Makes eight first-course servings, or four main course servings
Ingredients
2 pounds parsnips, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 medium parsnips)
2 large carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons butter or vegan butter
1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
8 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread out parsnips and carrots in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until parsnips begin to brown, about 30 minutes total. Use a fork or a large spatula to flip them halfway through.
Melt butter in a heavy, large pot over medium heat (a Dutch Oven is perfect for this). Add onion and sauté until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add parsnips and carrots and sauté 5 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil, then simmer until parsnips and carrots are tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 10minutes. Remove from heat.
Working in batches, puree soup in a blender or food processor. Return to pot. Season with salt and pepper. Can be made two days ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate.
Bring soup to simmer before serving. Garnish with sour cream, yogurt, kefir, or vegan substitute of your choice.
