Chestnut Soup With Fried Parsley Recipes

CHESTNUT SOUP

Steps:

• To Cook Chestnuts: With a sharp knife, slice an 'X' across each chestnut. Place chestnuts in a single layer on a jelly roll pan. Pour 1/4 cup water into the pan. Bake in a preheated 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) oven for 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, shell and peel.
• In a large saucepan combine the chicken stock, shelled chestnuts and chopped onions. Place the parsley sprigs, cloves and bay leaf in a spice bag and add to the chicken stock mixture. Simmer over medium-low heat for 45 minutes.
• Discard the spice bag and puree the chestnut mixture in a food processor or blender. Add the heavy cream, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Return mixture to saucepan and gently heat through. To serve to with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream, a bit of chopped parsley and some cooked chopped chestnuts just before serving. High quality vegetable broth can be substituted for the chicken broth.

CHESTNUT SOUP WITH FRIED PARSLEY

Steps:

• In a medium-sized stockpot, heat two tablespoons oil over medium heat.
• Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic and salt. Cook until soft, stirring occasionally, about eight minutes. Add the chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for five minutes.
• Chop the chestnuts. Add to the pan and simmer until the chestnuts and vegetables are tender, about 10 more minutes.
• Puree soup in a blender until smooth. Add soy or almond milk and salt to taste. Keep warm.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Toss chestnuts with onion powder, salt and thyme. Place on a sheet pan and bake 10 minutes or until slightly crunchy, tossing halfway through.
• Heat one inch of oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Toss the parsley with the cornstarch and fry in batches until crisp, about 30 seconds. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the chestnuts and fried parsley.

CHESTNUT SOUP

Steps:

• Preparing the Chestnuts - Roasting Method: Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Using a sharp paring knife, make a shallow horizontal cut into the chestnut meat, all around the chestnut. Repeat with each one. After slicing each chestnut, place them on an oven proof pan and roast until tender, about 30- to 40 minutes. Work as quickly as possible, it's easiest when they are still warm. Use a dish towel to hold each chestnut as you peel them so you don't burn your fingers. Remove the shell and brown papery skin underneath. Set aside and repeat with the remaining chestnuts.
• Preparing the Chestnuts - Boiling Method: Place chestnuts in a pot, large enough to hold them, and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until tender. Peel as above. Remove them from the hot water only as you peel them, keeping the others warm. Set aside.
• In a 4 quart pan, heat the olive oil with the butter and paprika. Add the onion and sauté it until it turns golden. Add the garlic and cook just until the garlic is aromatic.
• Pour in the water or vegetable broth. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the chestnuts and simmer for 10 minutes on medium-low. Remove six chestnuts from the pot and set aside. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the bread to the pot and allow the bread to absorb the broth and become mushy. Using a stick blender, puree the soup.
• Pour the soup through a sieve, pressing it through. Return the soup to the pot and add the cilantro or parsley. Keep warm until serving. Just before serving, quickly stir in the cream.
• Garnish each bowl with a whole or crumbled chestnut.
• Variation: After straining the soup, return to the boil and add ¼ to 1/3 cup short -grain rice to the pot. Simmer 10 minutes, then continue as written.

CHESTNUT SOUP WITH FRIED PARSLEY

Steps:

• Make the soup: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the chicken broth, 2 cups water and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer 5 minutes. Chop the chestnuts, add to the pan and simmer until the chestnuts and vegetables are tender, about 10 more minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
• Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into another saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the cream, sherry, and salt to taste. Keep warm.
• Make the toppings: For the croutons, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the bread and cook, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the saffron and cook until the croutons are browned, about 2 more minutes; transfer to a bowl. Fry the parsley: Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Toss the parsley with the cornstarch, then fry in batches until crisp, about 30 seconds. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. (The toppings can be made up to 3 hours ahead.)
• Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the croutons and fried parsley.

CHESTNUT SOUP

Steps:

• Trim the top off the leek, slice it lengthwise and chop it roughly. Soak the leek briefly in water to remove sand and grit, then drain. Heat a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, and butter and sweat celery and leeks in the butter until very soft DO NOT BROWN. Add the roasted chestnuts and chicken stock and bring to a simmer. If you are using frozen chestnuts, simmer for approximately 20 minutes, or until the starch begins to develop and the soup begins to thicken. If fresh chestnuts are used, simmer for approximately 30 minutes or until the starch begins to develop and you can easily crush the nuts against the side of the pot with a spoon. Turn off heat and allow the soup to cool slightly, otherwise the stream from the hot soup may cause the blender to malfunction. Pour the soup into a blender (or use an immersion blender right in the pot) blend until there are no longer any large pieces of chestnut, celery and leeks and the soup is somewhat smooth. Very small pieces of chestnut should remain. Return soup to pot and bring to a simmer again, add the cream and the port. Reduce until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the soup becomes too thick, adjust the consistency by adding a bit of water. The soup should be stirred well before serving, if it is in a thermos, shake it very well before pouring into bowls.

CHESTNUT SOUP WITH FRIED PARSLEY

Steps:

• 1. Make the soup. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, garlic and 1/2 tsp salt; cook, stirring until soft, about 8 min. Add chix broth, 2 cups water and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to med low and simmer 5 min. Chop the chestnuts add to the pan and simmer until the chestnuts and vegetables are tender, about 10 more min. Remove the bay leaf. Purée the soup in a blender. You can sieve through a wire mesh if necessary.