Here's a recipe for Vegetable Soup Puree with Celery, Carrots, and Fried Onions—a comforting and creamy soup that's both nutritious and flavorful.
Ingredients:
For the soup:
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the fried onions:
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
Optional garnishes:
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
- A drizzle of olive oil or cream
Instructions:
1. Prepare the fried onions:
- Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Add the thinly sliced onion and a pinch of salt.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden brown and crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
2. Cook the soup:
- In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add the chopped carrots, celery, vegetable broth, bay leaf, thyme or rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Puree the soup:
- Remove the bay leaf from the pot.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer the soup in batches to a countertop blender and blend until smooth.
4. Adjust seasoning:
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. Serve:
- Ladle the pureed soup into bowls.
- Garnish with the fried onions, and optionally drizzle with a little olive oil or cream.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Tips:
- For a richer soup, you can stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk just before serving.
- If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can blend only half of the soup and leave the rest as is.
This Vegetable Soup Puree with Celery, Carrots, and Fried Onions is a delicious and comforting choice for a light meal or as a starter. Enjoy!