Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fennel and Potato Soup - Zuppa di Finocchio e Patate







From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...The spirit was willing but the body was way too weak to spend this gorgeous Oregon day indoors. So, we put chores aside and the Silver Fox and I headed to the coast for a wonderful meal and an afternoon of skipping waves and walking along the shore. The breakers were high and probably tempting to those who don't know this coast. The water here is very very cold, and only the foolish brave it without special gear. California got the beaches and bikinis while Oregon got the coast line and, arguably, the better deal. Our coast is aching beautiful, even in foul weather, and on a day like today it can take your breath away. So we walked and walked and even talked some, but despite the distance covered never manged to regain an appetite for another meal. That meant soup for supper tonight. I've been wanting to try a recipe for an Italian fennel soup that I found in Saveur magazine some time ago and this was the perfect night to experiment. The recipe is quick and easy to prepare and the soup, which has a fennel base, is really interesting. I loved the soup and will make it again and again. I think those of you who like fennel, or are just looking for something different for a change, will enjoy it as well. The soup can be served hot or cold. Here's the recipe.

Fennel and Potato Soup...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Saveur

Ingredients:
3 medium fennel bulbs + 2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds
1 tablespoon butter butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
4 cups chicken stock
1 large russet potato, peeled and cubed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
1) Trim, quarter, and core fennel bulbs, then slice into medium-size pieces, reserving 2 tablespoons feathery fennel fronds. Heat butter and olive oil together in a medium pot over medium-low heat. When butter has melted, add sliced fennel, shallots, and 1 cup of the stock. Cover and simmer gently until fennel is soft and translucent, about 15 minutes.
2) Increase heat to medium, add potatoes and remaining 3 cups stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently until potatoes are very soft and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.
3) Gently mash vegetables with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon until soup is thick and chunky. Do not puree the mixture. Add a little water or additional stock if it becomes too thick. Chop reserved fennel leaves, then stir into soup. Remove soup from heat and set aside for 5 minutes to allow flavors to develop. Ladle soup into four bowls and serve warm, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, if you like.Yield: 4 servings.








One Year Ago Today: Pumpkin Pecan Bread with Streusel Topping












Two Years Ago Today: Albondigas - Spanish Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

41 comments :

Anonymous said...

I love Fennel.Think this veg is so underrated.Have to admit haven't tried it in soup.I wouldn;t stay indoors either with such a nice nature;)

Elin said...

Mary...this must be flavorful and tasty...just great for a chilly autumn nite. Thanks for sharing with us the recipe. Have a fun filled day with your family :)
Regards,
Elin

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your coastline is beautiful, and so is the soup!! And after catching up on your post from yesterday, I am trying to figure out how to hang donuts from the kitchen door frame for a ton of fun!!!

mia xara said...

Hi Mary,I'd love to try this soup,I like fennel..Your photos are gorgeous,the ocean is one of my greatest weaknesses..Have a good week!

Fabi said...

I love fennel, especially its fronds. I knew about them in Italy, because in Spain they have a terrible use: they trim the fronds and sell the fennels without them! This soup looks simply delicious, the perfect meal for the first fall days. Big hug and have a nice day, Mary.

Su m said...

Oh... what a great recipe. I simply adore fennel and I bet this is just wonderfull.

Manu said...

Hi Mary, I made the SAME soup last night!! ;-))
Have a great day

Priya Suresh said...

Definitely a super inviting soup..

Ellen Whyte said...

Not my thing this one. Hey, could you write something about beetroot? I have a craving and the plain stuff cooked Dutch style seems a bit dull.

Lynn said...

Gorgeous pics Mary, all three! Kinda neat to see grass right up water like that-enjoy:@)

Alessandra said...

Beautiful photos today Mary, and an excellent soup!

Have a great day

Ciao
Alessandra

Martha said...

I love fennel and it does pair well with potato! When, and if, you can get them in the market here, I'll have to give it a try!

Sue/the view from great island said...

I always want to live near a coast, as you say, it's just breathtaking.
The soup sounds wonderful, I recently made a fennel and potato gratin and discovered how wonderful the two are as a pair.

That Girl said...

Soup for supper sounds fabulous. And frankly, the water here in CA is far too cold to venture into for me!

Anonymous said...

It has only been in recent years that I discovered fennel and now it is a staple in my crisper. Soups, stir-fry, casseroles, it is great in so many things.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous pictures, Mary! Can't blame you for not wanting to stay inside :)
The soup looks and sounds fantastic! So warm and comforting!

Sylvia said...

Love fennel,the soup looks delicious and comforting.
Your coast side is beautiful

Lois said...

I have never tried fennel! But love a hearty soup with potato. Will try it on the weekend...

Jana said...

I absolutely love the Oregon Coast. Canon Beach is one of my favorite places on this earth, as a matter of fact. I am your neighbor as I live in Washington. I always love to get down to Oregon. Besides being beautiful I also think your weather is better than ours! Thanks for sharing your Oregon Coast pics, I can't wait to visit again.

Great looking soup recipe too. Nothing better than soup with flavorful spices. I am putting a french onion and mushroom soup up on my blog in the next couple of days. I use rosemary to flavor the soup and it is so good!

Nice visiting with you, I will be back. Thanks, Jana http://www.adoctorandanurse.com

Claudia said...

I love a rocky, wave-breaking coastline. Just astonishing in its rugged beauty. And the soup? Yes - I will be doing this. Can't think of a better way to welcome a walker home on a chilly eve.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I have really only just rediscovered fennel this year Mary and I know without a doubt that I would love it in a potato soup.

June said...

How beautiful the Oregon coast is and you're right about the better deal. This soup would be perfect after a day walking the beaches.

SKIP TO MALOU said...

the recipe looks simple and to be honest i haven't cooked with fennel yet, though i've always wanted to try.
your picture of the waves breaking into the rocks make me miss SD. I miss the coast and the view... you're right no matter what time of day and what kind of weather, the view still lifts your spirits!
have a great day!
malou

The Blonde Duck said...

Yum!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I was lucky enough to visit the Oregon coast this past summer - my niece's favorite spot is Canon Beach, and it is breathtaking. Would love to finish a beach walk with this lovely soup.

Big Dude said...

I'm sure I'll like the soup but I'm sure I'd like a day along the coast even more. You guys made a good decision, the chores will always be there when your day of making memories is over.

Emily Malloy said...

This soup is perfection!!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful sounding soup Mary. I am mad about fennel lately. Simply wonderful.
The photos look gorgeous as well.
Have a nice day.

Allie said...

That soup and the view both amazing! Beautiful pictures! Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. Enjoy your day!

aisyah sakaria said...

hey mary, thaks for the visit. woww the soup look very delicious. you're a good cooker! i also loved cooking but have no time since I'm still studying.

Linda said...

Simply breathtaking! Take every oppty to get out and enjoy days like that! And coming home to a bowl of this soup sounds absolutely delicious!

Christine's Pantry said...

Easy and tasty! I love your blog.

Alicia said...

I don't know that I've ever tasted fennel. I believe it has a licoricey taste? This soup looks wonderful. Hope the weather soon gets a little more fall-like here in sunny California because I'm gathering up all these wonderful soup recipes but don't feel like eating anything but a cold salad accompanied by a chilled glass of wine when I get home.

Ola said...

even as a cold water it looks like I want to swim over there :) and then I think I could deserve for such a warming and delicious soup :) Greetings!

Jacina carobna kuhinja said...

Dear Mary, I'm very glad you visited my blog and that you like it, did me the great honor! Especially when I saw your blog with wonderful magical recipes, I'm so glad you was visiting, come again, dear :)))

ucubakery said...

Nice blog...
Thanks visit my blog...i am from Malaysia...

Amalia said...

This looks so delicious, especially on a cold day like the one I'm experiencing right now! And thank you for the tip on the donut cutter, I'm going to make them now! Thanks again, I really appreciate it! :)

Larissa said...

I love fennel too -- and the soup looks just lovely!

Connie Arnold said...

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos and yummy recipe!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing! Thanks for visting my blog.Love your photos! I never had fennel potato soup, will try it.I love potato soup,JoAnn

Unknown said...

Breathtaking view (the soup doesn't look bad either).

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