Parsnip soup with chestnut and pesto recipe

Parsnip soup with chestnut and pesto

A great way to make the most of an autumn root veg, this parsnip soup recipe is super simple. Sweat your parsnips in a little butter and oil then add chicken or veg stock and simmer for 15 minutes or so. Blitz until smooth then add a touch of cream, and serve with chopped roasted chestnuts and a little bit of pesto.

See method
  • Serves 4
  • 5 mins to prepare and 40 mins to cook
  • 363 calories / serving

    Ingredients

    • 25g butter
    • 1-2tbsp olive oil
    • 1kg (2lb) parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
    • 1 litre (1¾ pints) chicken or vegetable stock
    • 100ml (3½fl oz) single cream
    • 75g (3oz) cooked and peeled chestnuts, chopped
    • 2tsp pesto, to serve

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    Each serving contains

    Energy
    1520kJ 363.0kcal
    18%
    Fat
    21g
    medium30%
    Saturates
    8g
    high40%
    Salt
    1.7g
    medium28%
    Sugars
    17g
    medium19%

    of the Reference intake

    Carbohydrate 38.6gProtein 7.5gFibre 16.3g

    Method

    1. Heat the butter and the olive oil in a large pan, then add the parsnips and some seasoning. Put the lid on and sweat the parsnips for 8-10 minutes over a medium heat, stirring occasionally. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
    2. Blend the cooked parsnips and stock in a food processor or liquidiser until smooth. You may need to do this in two batches. For a really smooth soup, pass it through a fine sieve using the back of a spoon or ladle.
    3. Pour the soup into a clean pan, stir in the cream and season to taste. Return to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer until it is a fairly thick consistency.
    4. As the soup is simmering, toast the chestnuts in a pan with a little oil and seasoning until lightly golden. Drain on kitchen paper.
    5. Serve the soup in warmed bowls, float a little pesto in the middle, then scatter over the toasted chestnuts.

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