Parsnip & Herb Soup


Parsnip & Herb Soup
These days my local farmers market is loaded with root vegetables, and I am always looking for creative ways to incorporate them into my cooking. Parsnips are hard to incorporate into our meals, though, as they tend to be a bit on the bitter side and my kids don’t really like them. I decided to try to make a soup with them and add lots of herbs to mask the bitter taste, and…It worked! My kids absolutely love this soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (divided)
- 2 tablespoons rosemary
- 1 head cauliflower (cut into small pieces)
- 1 can chickpeas (15 ounces, drained, rinsed, dried well)
- 1/2 onion (minced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 6 parsnips (peeled, diced)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons herbs de Provence
- 5 sprigs thyme (leaves only)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can coconut milk (13.5 ounces)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
-
Place cauliflower on one baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil and rosemary.
-
Place chickpeas on other baking sheet with tablespoon of oil.
-
Roast both until crisp and caramelized (about 30 minutes for cauliflower and 40-45 minutes for chickpeas).
-
Season generously with salt and pepper and set aside about 1/2 cup each for garnish.
-
Add last tablespoon of oil to large pot along with onion and sauté until soft (about 5 minutes).
-
Add garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
-
Add parsnips, cumin, herbs de Provence, thyme leaves, and broth, and bring to boil.
-
Reduce to simmer and place lid on pot, then simmer for about 20 minutes.
-
Add cauliflower and chickpeas (minus 1/2 cup each saved for garnish) and cook until everything is very soft (about 5 minutes).
-
Using hand blender or regular blender, puree until smooth.
-
Add coconut milk and puree again to incorporate.
-
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
To serve, add swirl of coconut milk and olive oil, then top with cauliflower, chickpeas, and fresh thyme leaves.