Winter Vegetable Potage Recipes

WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP WITH TURNIPS, CARROTS, POTATOES AND LEEKS

Steps:

• In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, combine the leeks, garlic, carrots, celery, turnips, potatoes, bouquet garni, 1 1/2 quarts water, 2 to 3 teaspoons salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 40 to 45 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft.
• Pass the soup through the coarse blade of a food mill (or purée using a blender or an immersion blender).
• Return soup to the pot and whisk in 1/4 cup crème fraîche (or more, to taste). Heat through, taste and adjust seasonings (be generous with salt and pepper). To serve, garnish each bowl with a spoonful of crème fraîche and a sprinkle of parsley or tarragon.

PURéE OF WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about three minutes. Add the leeks and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until tender but not browned, about five more minutes. Add the carrots, kohlrabi, turnips, potatoes and water or stock. Bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, wrap the ginger, bay leaf, thyme, parsley and peppercorns in cheesecloth. Tie them up to make a bouquet garni, and add to the pot. Add salt to taste (about 2 teaspoons), reduce the heat, cover and simmer one hour. Remove the cheesecloth bag, and discard.
• Blend the soup until smooth with an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender. (Do not put the top on tight; cover the top with a towel to prevent hot splashes.) Pour the soup through a strainer into a bowl; press the soup through the strainer with the back of a ladle or with a pestle. Return to the pot and heat through. Add lots of freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust salt, and serve.

WINTER VEGETABLE POTAGE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks; cover and cook until just softened, about 5 minutes. Add 3 cups broth, cooked or frozen vegetables, potato, cabbage and rosemary. Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat; partially cover pan and simmer until all vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Thin soup, if desired, with additional broth. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle croutons over.