Fennel, Garlic and Potato Soup

Fennel, Garlic and Potato Soup

      We took a recipe by Martha Rose Schulman for the NYT and we adapted using our Italian Garlic Olive Oil, it is divine. The picture is by Andrew Scrivani/NYT.

      This is a very healthy soup, you can serve hot or cold, though I preferred hot. It is an anise-scented soup, lighter than the classic potato soup. Don't forget to add a little of the garlic olive oil on top when you plate it for extra garlic flavor. Create Magic!

  • YIELD 6 servings
  • TIME 1 hour 10 minutes

 

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons garlic extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ large or 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 2 pounds bulb fennel, trimmed, washed and diced
  • 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 garlic cloves or 1/4 head green garlic, peeled and cut in half
  • Salt to taste
  • A bouquet garni made with a bay leaf, a couple of sprigs each parsley and thyme, 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds and 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns, tied in cheesecloth
  • 2 quarts water, vegetable stock or chicken stock
  • Freshly ground pepper

FOR GARNISH, CHOICE OF

  • Chopped fresh fennel fronds
  • Lightly crushed fennel seeds
  • Paper-thin slices of fennel bulb
  • Garlic croutons
  • Shaved Parmesan

 

PREPARATION

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion, celery, chopped fennel and a generous pinch of salt. Cook gently for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables have softened and lost some of their volume. Add the potatoes, garlic, bouquet garni and the water or stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add salt to taste, cover and simmer 45 minutes.
  2. Remove the bouquet garni. Blend the soup until smooth with an immersion blender, or ladle into a blender, working in 1 1/2-cup batches. Remove the center from the blender cover, place a towel over the cover and pull it down tightly to prevent splashing. Blend and return to the pot. Heat through, add salt and pepper to taste and serve, or chill and serve cold, with your choice of garnishes.

Tip

  • Advance preparation: This will be good for 2 to 3 days. Whisk the soup before reheating or serving cold.
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