Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
- 1 medium yellow or white onion, sliced or chopped
- 1 leek, cleaned and sliced or chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 15oz (450 grams) turnips (weighed after peeling), cut into chunks
- 1 (8oz/220 grams) large potato, cut into chunks
- 3 ½ cups (840 ml) low-salt vegetable broth
Spices and Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 4 fresh sprigs)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 ¼ tsp fine salt, plus more to taste
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
Finishing
- ½ cup (120 ml) cream
Instructions
- Heat the Olive Oil: In a large pot, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped or sliced onion, leek, and carrot to the pot. Cook them gently until they are softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
- Add Turnips and Potatoes: Incorporate the peeled and chunked turnips and potatoes into the pot, stirring them to combine well with the sautéed vegetables.
- Pour in Broth and Spices: Add 3 ½ cups of low-salt vegetable broth, then season with ground nutmeg, ground coriander, dried thyme (or fresh sprigs), bay leaf, 1 ¼ teaspoons fine salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Stir gently to mix the flavors.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 30-40 minutes, or until the turnips and potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove Bay Leaf and Thyme Sprigs: If you used fresh thyme and bay leaf, remove them from the pot before blending to avoid over-intensifying their flavors.
- Blend the Soup: Using an immersion blender or a regular blender in batches, puree the soup until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Stir in Cream: Return the blended soup to the pot if needed, then gently stir in ½ cup of cream to add richness and a velvety texture. Heat through but do not boil.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if desired. Serve hot, garnished with optional fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- To make the soup dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup and mix it back with the unblended portion.
- For an extra flavor boost, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives.
- Storing: The soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian