Potato Parsnip Soup With Creme Fraiche And Bacon Recipes

SWEET POTATO-PARSNIP SOUP WITH BACON CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine 5 tablespoons olive oil, the onion, leeks, 2 teaspoons thyme, a big pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large pot or Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes, parsnips, chicken broth, 3 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and the cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes and parsnips are tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the bacon and drippings to a large bowl.
• Add the bread, cheese and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the bacon and drippings. Season with salt and pepper and toss, then spread out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing once or twice, until toasted and the cheese is melted, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth (or puree in batches in a regular blender). Season with salt and more cayenne to taste. Thin with water as needed. Divide the soup among bowls. Top with a swirl of creme fraiche, the croutons and the remaining 2 teaspoons thyme.

PARSNIP AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and render until crisp. Remove the bacon, finely chop and reserve for later use. Spoon off all but a few tablespoons of the smoky drippings. Melt the butter into the drippings and reduce the heat a bit. Add the potatoes and stir to coat. Add the garlic, parsnips, onions, some black pepper and nutmeg. Add the parsley, then partially cover the pot and cook to soften, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally; the color of the veg should be light golden. Remove the parsley. Puree the vegetables with the stock (in batches if necessary) in a food processor or blender, or add the stock to the soup pot and use an immersion blender. Stir in the reserved bacon bits then season the soup with salt.
• Cool the soup and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium-high heat and add in the cream. Serve in shallow bowls with chives to garnish, and buttered rolls to dunk.
• Place the chicken in a pot over a bed of bay leaves, garlic, celery, parsley, carrots and onions. Sprinkle with salt and fill the pot with water to cover the chicken. Sprinkle in a few peppercorns. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 45 minutes, turning occasionally. Turn off the heat and cool the chicken in the broth. Separate the meat from the bones and skin. Reserve the meat and discard the bones and skin. Strain the stock.