In my younger days of partying a little too hard, I had a wonderful friend called Maurice, who would come round and look after my housemate & I when we weren’t doing a very good job of it ourselves.
He would bring a can of Baxters Spicy Parsnip Soup with him, and feed us up. It became a kind of gastro comfort blanket.
Sadly Mo is no longer with us, but I make this soup in his memory, every time I need to feel looked after and nourished. And I send him a nod and a wink as I eat it, proving I can look after myself now :)
Spicy Parsnip Soup with Smoked Garlic Croutons
1lb parsnips, peeled & chopped
1 carrot, peeled & chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 potato, peeled & chopped
2-4 cloves garlic
1.5 pints chicken or veg stock
1/2 tsp chilli powder (or as much fresh diced chilli as you like)
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
2 slices of bread
2 cloves of smoked garlic
1 tbsp butter
Fry the onion and garlic in a little oil. Add the spices and fry for a couple of minutes to release their flavours.
Add everything else to the pot and bring to the boil, immediately reducing to a simmer for around 20 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
Whilst the soup is simmering, cut the crusts off the bread. Cut the slices into little dice, and shallow fry in the butter. When the squares are beginning to turn golden, add 2 chopped cloves of smoked garlic to the pan and fry with the bread.
Blitz the soup with a stick blender when cooked, adding as much freshly boiled water from the kettle to make it as thick as you like it. Pour into bowls and top with the yummy croutons.
Edited to add; When topping up with boiled water, add 1/2 a can of coconut milk too. Wowsers!
Shared with; Homestead Barn Hop, Mix it up Monday, Monday Mania, Melt in your mouth Monday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Real Food Wednesdays
Lovely tribute to a man who helped you feel human again after those naughty nights :)
:) Thanks parlsey, he’d like that!
Janie x
How do you smoke your garlic? Do you do a lot at one time and store it? How do you store it? I realize I have a lot of questions but we ARE talking about GARLIC!!!
Hey Mickie, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind! Hey Mickie! Hey Mickie! Sorry mate, not sure what came over me then. Everything went all 80′s :)
Anyway, back to the garlic! I must admit to buying my garlic, pre smoked. Sorry. I will now find out how to smoke it, and shall do so on your behalf. I know there’s hot smoking & cold smoking. I think the one I bought was cold smoked as the cloves were hard and raw, whereas the hot smoked ones are mushy and well, cooked.
Mine of information here, isn’t it :)
I love parsnips and the story behind it makes it even better.
Christie – Food Done Light recently posted..10 Christmas Gift Ideas for a Happy Cook
Me too Christie, thanks for stopping by!
Janiex
This sounds and looks utterly delicious! It’s right up my alley. Maurice sounds like he was a great friend and so nice you can remember him every time you make this soup :)
Tammy/Our Neck of the Woods recently posted..Feathered Friend Friday
Thanks Tammy, he was a great friend x
Hi Jane,
Sorry to hear Maurice is no longer with us. I think it is a lovely way to honor him. I’ve always liked parsnip but other than roasted I don’t know how to cook it. Thanks so much for sharing your soup -it sounds divine!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie recently posted..(Lighter) Gouda Macaroni and Cheese, Plus Foodie Gifts
Nancy, do give it a go – I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for visiting, I’m off for an early night with your ebook :)
Janie x
Have to say.. That soup was the best I did ever had :0)
Blimey, really? Praise indeed honey :) xxx
Oh what a truly wonderful way to remember and share the memory of your friend. Sounds and looks delicious. B
Buttons recently posted..A Dream?
:)
This sounds wonderful…and I do so love parsnips! Unfortunately mine didn’t germinate well this year. Now I know that they should be planted the year you purchase the seed, mine were several years old. So next spring I will definitely be planting more. Saving this recipe!
Thanks for sharing on Wildcrafting Wednesday!
Lisa Lynn recently posted..Wildcrafting Wednesday
What a shame Lisa, so often you can get away with planting old seed. Better luck next year!
Janie x
This sounds heavenly…. interesting spices and parsnips. I adore parsnips. Thanks so much for sharing! I found you on Wildcrafting Wedensdays!
Bigg Sis recently posted..Holiday Fudge Pleases Mom & Child…. page 10
Hi Bigg Sis! Thanks for leaving the lovely comment :)
I agree, you can’t really go wrong with fresh, sweet parsnips!
janie x
That looks SOOO good! :) Thanks for sharing your real food recipe on Wildcrafting Wednesday! :)
Hey Kathy, you’re welcome! Glad you liked the look of it :)
Janie x