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Turnip soup is a delicious and nourishing dish that showcases the often-overlooked turnip. With its round, slightly purple-skinned exterior, this root vegetable converts into a warm bowl of savoury turnip soup.

Did you know that Turnips have been around for centuries? They are full of nutritional benefits, and incorporating this humble vegetable into a soup makes a lot of sense.

Ingredients

Turnips, potato, leek, onion, garlic, butter, olive oil, heavy cream, water, chicken stock cube, bay leaves, nutmeg, paprika, and black pepper.

Turnips are widely available from late fall to early spring. During this time, they have a tender texture and a sweet flavor. Interestingly, turnips are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes beyond soup; you can incorporate them into stir-fries, stews, and salads to enhance both flavor and nutrition.

This recipe combines turnips and potatoes for a delicious dish. While turnips are naturally sweet, potatoes can taste rather bland unless they are well-seasoned. Turnips have a slightly sweet and peppery flavor, but their other flavors are neutral. Therefore, it’s important to use the right spices when preparing dishes that include turnips. Some people even substitute potatoes with turnips in mashed potato recipes for a unique twist.

Aromatic ingredients like onions, garlic, and leeks can enhance the flavor of turnip soup. When caramelized, these ingredients contribute to the natural sweetness of the turnips. Potatoes also have a neutral flavor, providing a starchy base that helps to thicken the soup. To add creaminess to the dish, ingredients such as butter, cream, and grapeseed oil can be included. Additionally, spices like chicken stock cubes, bay leaves, nutmeg, paprika, and black pepper introduce layers of flavor, making this soup a comforting meal.

Instructions

Peel the potato and turnips and cut them into large cubes. Slice the Leek in circles, chop the onion, and mince the garlic cloves. Add olive oil to the preheated pot on medium-low heat. Add the garlic, onion, and Leek, and sauté the ingredients for three to four minutes.

After sautéing the aromatics like onion, garlic, and leeks, add the butter, paprika, ground nutmeg, and ground black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine the ingredients. Once the spices are well mixed, pour water into the pot.

Add the turnip and potato to the pot, along with the bay leaves and chicken stock cube. Close the lid and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-low heat. Let it cook for twenty minutes. To check if the ingredients are fully cooked, poke a potato with a fork; it should go through easily without any resistance when they are done.

Once the turnip and potato are fully cooked, let the soup cool for at least fifteen minutes before adding the heavy cream. Adding the cream after the soup has cool ensures that the cream does not split and seperate in the turnip soup.

After removing the bay leaves, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it reaches a creamy and smooth consistency. Serve with crusty bread like baguette or sourdough, and serve while it’s hot.

What to Serve with Turnip soup?

Turnip soup is naturally earthy and slightly sweet. It can be served as a starter or as a main dish, and a variety of side dishes pair well with turnip soup. The soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, a garlic baguette, or buttered toast. These breads are perfect for dipping into the turnip soup, as they will absorb the soup while still holding their shape. The soup with these breads will also add texture and heartiness, making the overall dish comforting and enjoyable.

How do you Store and Reheat the Turnip soup?

Allow the turnip soup to cool to room temperature. Once it has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. Store Turnip soup in the refrigerator for up to five days. It can also be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave. Transfer the soup to a pan to reheat on the stovetop. Set the temperature to medium-low heat and reheat the soup until it starts to bubble. Adjust the temperature to the lowest setting and continue stirring for 1 minute; the soup will be ready. Be careful when reheating the soup on the stove, as it can bubble up and get quite hot. If you are using the microwave to reheat the turnip soup, make sure to cover it with a microwave-safe lid to prevent splashing.