Sunday, November 16, 2008

My new favorite soup

When we were in Figeac last week we had lunch at a lovely restaurant called Le Sphinx.  I had this amazing potage légumes d'hiver (winter vegetable soup) and from the first taste I knew I had to make it at home.  Did that yesterday and it's my new favorite.  Thought I'd pass on the recipe.  This isn't for all my Southern California friends, because I think it's like 75 and sunny there right, but when it gets chilly (like it is here in France) this is the perfect soup.  Enjoy.

Potage légumes d'hiver

1/2 cup butter unsalted,
1 medium onion coarsely chopped
1 each leek trimmed, split lengthwise, chopped and well washed
3 each celery stalks, chopped
3 each garlic cloves, crushed
1 small jalapeno pepper split lengthwise, seeded, and chopped
2 large carrots peeled, chopped
1/2 medium cabbage head, savoy, cored, coarsely chopped
2 medium potatoes baking, peeled and coarsely chopped
2 medium turnip white, peeled and chopped
1 medium fennel bulb bulb, chopped
1 medium celery root, (celeriac) pared, coarsely chopped
3 each broccoli florets stalks, coarsely cut up
12 sprigs parsley leaves 
10 cups chicken broth
3 cups heavy whipping cream (whipping cream)
1 x salt to taste
1 x black pepper to taste
1 x sour cream garnish
1 x chives fresh, chopped, garnish

Directions
In a large saucepan or casserole, heat up the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onion, leek, celery, garlic and jalapeno pepper chili. Cook, covered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the carrots, cabbage, potatoes, turnips, fennel, kohlrabi, celery root, broccoli, parsley, and enough stock to nearly cover.

Bring the contents to a boil; lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until very tender.

Puree the soup, working in batches as necessary, in a processor or blender. Rinse out the pan, pour the soup back into the saucepan, and bring the soup to a simmer.

Add cream and salt and pepper to taste; heat back up to simmer. Serve with garnish of sour cream and chives.

5 comments:

M said...

Copied, and saved for a suitable occasion. we're just starting our hot run of weather, so soup days may be a while away.

peaches said...

Hey Alisa,

I am back from the Cote d'Azur and Provence. Had a great time. You must know Aix, right? Magical town. But apparently crime is really a problem down there, which is why some of my friends from there left for this part of France. Crime and also the Mistral.

I am going to Figeac tomorrow. Where is your restaurant and Emmaus? Please send directions.

I need to find a file with large flat shelves or drawers for sheets of drawing and watercolour paper. Please let me know if you spot one, and snag it for me if possible with a deposit.

We had a good drawing group last night. Nicole wants us all to go to her house for drawing one night in December and her husband will prepare a "grillade" for us in the cantou. Want to join us?

Please let me know when you want to come again because if you're willing to pose again we'd love to have you as a model again.

Catherine

peaches said...

By the way, Figeac has a wonderful Saturday morning market. Try to make it. And there is also a great little epicerie on the place where the Treasury buildling is where you can get all manner of spices, herbs, and exotic fruits and vegetables. Really worth a visit next time you're there.

Did you find an art store in Figeac? I bought some stuff in Aix- there were two nice art shops, but REALLY expensive. I miss Pearl Paint in NY!

peaches said...

Another thing, I found very nice internet cafes in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Sometimes they were quiet (except for mellow jazz, etc) which was good for working, but sometimes they were full of lively young people meeting up and ordering drinks and light food, particularly the weekend. I want to start something like that in the area, either in Rignac(!) but otherwise Rocamadour. Have you noticed any I can visit?

Randal Graves said...

Dammit, now I'm hungry. Few things are better than a good soup.