Sunchoke Soup With Pumpkin Seeds Recipes

SUNCHOKE SOUP WITH GINGER OIL

Steps:

• Soup: Roughly chop dark green leek stalks. In a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter; then add leeks. Smash and peel garlic cloves and add them to the pot. (If you're using a Vitamix to pureé the soup later, you can leave garlic skins on.) Continue to cook leeks and garlic until soft, stirring occasionally, 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, warm the water or stock.
• Roughly chop unpeeled sunchokes to a uniform size, about 1-inch pieces. Set aside. Meanwhile, tilt the pot with the leeks to pool the butter. Place bay leaves on top of the butter so they lightly fry for about 5 seconds. Then stir and continue sautéing until there is less popping coming from the pot, 2-3 more minutes.
• Ginger Oil: Slice unpeeled ginger into coins. Place in skillet over medium-high heat along with the oil. Heat until the ginger begins to fry, 2-3 minutes; fry for 1 minute, then turn off heat and set aside to cool. Once cool, store ginger and oil in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. (Ginger Oil can be made in advance; it will keep in jar, refrigerated, for two months.)When leeks are melted, remove from heat and season with a pinch of salt and stir. To the pot, add sunchokes and the warm water or stock. Turn heat to low and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, cook uncovered until the sunchokes are soft, 25-45 minutes. (Cooking time will depend on the freshness and water content of the sunchokes.)
• When the sunchokes are soft and break apart, discard the bay leaves before adding the contents of the pot to a blender. (If you're using a high-speed blender such as Vitamix, you can leave the bay leaves in.) Replace the lid and blend on low speed to combine the ingredients; then slowly increase the blender speed to medium for 30 seconds. Turn speed back to low, remove the cap, and add the butter one piece at a time, so it emulsifies into the soup. When all of the butter has been emulsified, place the cap back on and purée at high speed for 30 seconds. (Optional: Pour soup through a fine-mesh strainer or chinois back into the pot for a more refined texture.)
• Assembly: Taste soup and adjust seasoning. Ladle warm soup into bowls. Drizzle a spoonful of Ginger Oil on top and serve.

SUNCHOKE SOUP WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• Mix 8 cups water and vinegar in large bowl. Working with 1 Jerusalem artichoke at a time, peel and place in vinegar water to prevent discoloration. Set aside.
• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion, leek, and garlic; sprinkle with salt and sauté until soft and translucent, stirring often, about 12 minutes. Drain artichokes; rinse well and drain again. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Add to onion mixture and sauté 5 minutes. Add 7 cups vegetable broth, increase heat to high, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until artichokes are very tender, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Working in batches, puree soup in blender until very smooth. Return to pot. Rewarm soup, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if needed to thin. Stir in cream and season to taste with salt and white pepper. do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, cover, and chill. Rewarm before continuing. Divide soup among bowls and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds; top with a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil and some sautéed mushrooms, if desired.
• Tubers of a variety of sunflower; available in the produce section of some supermarkets and at farmers' markets.