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(Beatrice Peltre for The Boston Globe) |
SEASONS
Serves 4
Even the most hesitant cook will be happy making this vegetable soup. It requires little preparation and cooking time, and turns uncomplicated, nourishing fare into dinner. To start, saute leeks in olive oil and butter with crushed coriander seeds, then add sweet potato, parsnip, turnips, and yellow potatoes to give the pot body and flavor. The soup simmers, almost unattended, with sage and bay leaf. At the table, add a dollop of creme fraiche and sprinkle with parsley. This is the kind of hearty fare you can only eat this time of year.
| 1 | tablespoon olive oil |
| 1 | tablespoon butter |
| 1 | teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed |
| 3 | leeks (white part only), sliced |
| 1 | sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice |
| 1 | parsnip, cut into 1/2-inch dice |
| 2 | small purple turnips, cut into 1/2-inch dice |
| 2 | Yukon Gold or Yellow Finn potatoes peeled and diced |
| 5 | cups cold water |
| 1 | bay leaf |
| 7 | fresh sage leaves, chopped |
| Salt and pepper, to taste | |
| 1/2 | cup creme fraiche or whole milk yogurt (for serving) |
| 2 | tablespoons chopped fresh parsley |
1. In a large flameproof casserole, heat the oil. When it is hot, add the butter. When the butter melts, cook the coriander seeds, stirring often, for 1 minute or until fragrant.
2. Add the leeks and cook, stirring often, for 4 minutes. Add the sweet potato, parsnip, turnips, and potatoes. Continue to cook, stirring often, for 4 minutes.
3. Add the water, bay leaf, sage, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
4. Discard the bay leaf. In a blender, puree the soup until smooth. If the soup seems thick, stir in more water. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if you like. Ladle into bowls, add creme fraiche or yogurt and parsley.
Beatrice Peltre
© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.
