Category: Soup and Stew

Polish Cherry Soup – Zupa Wisniowa

5 Comments

Growing up on the farm, my dad has fond memories of this soup from cherry season, featuring the fruit freshly picked off the tree. Though it’s not exactly the same as my Polish grandma’s, Dad says it’s “just as he remembers” (and he’s a terrible liar, so I’ll take that as a positive sign!). You can also serve it cold, with or without the noodles.

polish cherry soup 2

Polish Cherry Soup - Zupa Wisniowa

5 1/2 cups pitted fresh sweet, ripe cherries, divided
2 cups water
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 sheets lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions (I use Tinkyada)

Put 4 cups (960mL) of the cherries and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and using an immersion blender or transferring to a food processor, puree until mostly smooth. Stir in the lemon juice. Set aside. Add the remaining cherries to the mixture, pressing with a fork to slightly mash. Cut the lasagna-noodles width-wise into 3/4-inch strips. Stir them into the soup. Serve at room temperature or cold.

polish cherry soup

Celeriac, Apple, and Pear Soup with Smoked Tofu

6 Comments

Celeriac, or celery root, can look intimidating, but once you get past its rough exterior, it’s home to a mild root vegetable with a hint of celery flavor. The apples, pears, and smoked tofu are the perfect complement for a warm, early fall soup. I love dunking pieces of soda bread or beer bread, which can be baked in a jiffy while simmering the soup.

Celeriac Soup

Celeriac, Apple, and Pear Soup with Smoked Tofu

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
6 green onions, finely chopped (just the white part)
1 (210 gram) package firm or extra-firm smoked tofu (I like this one)
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 large sweet-tart apple, such as Mutsu, finely chopped
1 large Barlett or Bosc pear, finely chopped
2 medium celeriac, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes (about 1 pound after peeling)
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 cups vegetable stock or broth
1 to 2 cups water

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the green onion, tofu, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, stirring occasionally and scraping up the bits from the bottom of the pan. Add a few splashes of the broth to prevent burning, if necessary. Add the apple and pear. Continue to cook until softened, about 5 more minutes.

Add the celeriac, thyme, salt, pepper, and broth. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat, simmering until the celeriac is tender. If you have an immersion blender, pulse the soup about 5 times, to create some puree of the ingredients and add some thickness, adding additional water if necessary. If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer about 2 cups of the soup into a food processor or blender, let cool slightly, then puree until smooth. Scrape the mixture back into the pot. Mix well, adding water if necessary. Test for seasonings. Serve warm.

Corn, Kale, and Veggie Soup

4 Comments

Chilly weather means soup is on the menu… when I bother making it. I love soup but can definitely get repetitive in my soup making. Using up what was left in my CSA, this soup bridges summer and fall with sweet corn, kale, and autumn-inspired herbs.

Corn, Kale and Veggie Soup

1 tablespoon coconut oil
3 large stalks celery, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
4 red pimento peppers (or any small red pepper, these were just in my CSA box), finely chopped
4 corn-on-the-cobs, husked and kernels removed; reserve the cobs
2 medium zucchini, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried ground sage
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
6 handfuls chopped kale, chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons coconut flour

Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, and peppers. Cook until softened. Add the kernels and continue to cook until they start to brown, about 5 more minutes. Add the zucchini, oregano, sage, and thyme, and a healthy dose of salt and pepper (if you are using broth, you might want to wait and just add a sprinkle). Mix well. Add the cobs of the corn and about 8 to 10 cups of water, until the mixture is covered. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook, as long or as little as you’d like, but at least until the veggies are soft and tender. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it will be. This is where I shut it off and left my house for about 10 hours. Sort of like a slow cooker… sort of.

About 30 minutes before serving, remove the lid, remove the cobs, and use an immersion blender to pulse sections of the soup, depending how pureed you’d like it. Stir in the kale and basil. Adjust liquids if needed. Bring to a boil then simmer, covered, until the kale is tender. Stir in the coconut flour to thicken it up (adding more or less, depending on what you prefer). Cook about 5 additional minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste.