Creamy Parsnip Soup with Pear and Walnuts


Well, we are back in Phoenix, the trip from Oregon to Arizona can sometimes be exhausting. The biggest problem is that I carry too many things from one house to the other. I always bring my favorite knives even though I have knives at each house, and I always cart all my spices to and from in a large Tupperware tub. Sadly this is only the beginning of the things I bring, my husband is a patient man.....

The first 10 days after arriving I spent time with 2 extraordinary young boys; (my grandsons) and was too exhausted to write, post or comment. I marvel how so many of you can juggle kids, work and post all at the same time. Anyway, we had so much fun, we baked pizzas, went to museums, many parks and the zoo.

In the meantime and at the same time the season is changing. Love this time of year! After pursuing through my November issue of the Food and Wine magazine I spied this soup. This recipe is from from Marcus Samuelson's new cookbook, "Marcus Off Duty".  Here I used Yukon potatoes instead of sunchokes and cut back on the cream.


Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds parsnips (peeled and chopped)
2 medium Yukon potatoes (peeled and chopped) (recipe uses sunchokes)
4 garlic cloves (peeled and chopped)
4 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups water
3 cups chicken or veggie stock
1/2 cup heavy cream (recipe uses 1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice


For the toppings:

Chopped walnuts
Drizzle of walnut oil
Fresh pear slices

To prepare:

In a large soup pot on medium heat, add olive oil, then parsnips, potatoes and garlic, stirring until lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in garam masala, cumin, turmeric and salt. Cook, stirring until fragrant about 2 minutes. Add water and stock. Bring to a simmer, cook until veggies are tender, about 25 minutes. Add cream.

Puree soup in batches or with boat motor. Taste, season with salt and pepper.

Add toppings and serve. Enjoy!


Parsnips are all about fall and winter and this particular recipe is special, very special.

Comments

  1. Oh I need to try this recipe, love the addition of spices and masala. Great idea, thanks for sharing!

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  2. A must make. It's been so long since I've seen a jack rabbit.

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  3. I'm a bit like you when I'm packing. I always take my knives, I always pack too much and I always pack things I'll never use. I love parsnips but sometimes they can be pricey here (for no good reason). Your soup looks and sounds fabulous xx

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    1. Hi Charlie, every year I promise myself to take less, but in reality I probably take a big more.

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  4. I love soups like this one, full of veggies and great spices. I'd love a bowl today as it's quite gray, dreary and cold here in Carolina.

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    1. Hi Chris, oh I love cold and dreary probably because it's always sunny and warm here.

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  5. Sounds like a lovely 10 days with your grandsons. And this soup looks wonderful. The weather has changed so much and I definitely feel myself craving all the hearty dishes and hot soups!

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  6. 'glad you made it back. The soup looks delish.

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  7. Then I must make it..The gatam masala must add a richness..
    How many hours is your trip between both homes?
    Didn't it just fly by?
    I remember she you arrived☺

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    1. Thanks, it's a 21 hour drive and that's at full speed or 2 full days in the car.

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    2. Like when we go to Fl..23 hrs..next time we are taking an extra day...

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  8. I love parsnips. They aren't high on many people's lists, but they should be.
    I'm glad you arrived home safely again. Can't wait to see what delicious dishes the move inspires :)

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  9. I'm glad you are safely back with all the items that need to be transferred from one home to the other :)

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  10. Ah, love the toppings you chose for this soup! Walnuts and pear slices work well for me!

    Gourmet Getaways

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  11. I think this soup sounds pretty special too! What a perfect soup for the fall season.

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  12. Oh yum - the soups sounds like autumn in a bowl. Parsnips are such a delicious vegetable!

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  13. Glad to hear you made it back home to AZ! This soup sounds super unique and delicious!

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  14. Welcome back, Cheri...I remember all those years I traveled back and forth from Long Island, NY to Pennsylvania. Oh my, I could hardly see out my back car window half the times, lol...I guess we just naturally need to have "all" our things with us at "all" times, lol...

    How wonderful you had time to spend with your grandchildren. Like you I can't understand how bloggers keep up with so many activities including blogging. I've cut back quite a bit on blogging. There are so many other things on my agenda.

    I really think parsnips are truly neglected. They sing Fall to me just as much as Pumpkins. I have a Parsnip Cake I've been longing to try. Now you have inspired me not only to bake that cake but also stash this soup on my to cook list! I've also pinned it so I remember:)

    Thank you so much for sharing, Cheri...

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    1. Hi Louise, last year was the first time I tried parsnips and I've been hooked ever since. Can't wait to see your parsnip cake......Thanks for stopping by.

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  15. Awesome post Cheri and what a beautiful soup that is. Definitely worth trying!

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    1. Thanks Mike, it was delicious, the original recipe used parsnips with sunchokes.

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  16. Parsnip soup? I have to try that. Sounds like my type of soup!

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  17. Lovely aromatic soup. We don't have parsnips here...any idea what i can substitute it with?

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    1. Well parsnips kind of remind me of what a carrot, a rutabaga and a apple would taste like if they were mixed together, so maybe some type of combination? Hope that helps.......

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  18. Welcome back! It's been a few years since we've been to the Phoenix area but used to visit every year during Easter break when our girls were old enough to travel. Fun times! I love parsnips in soup and this recipe sounds like a winner!

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    1. Thanks Susan, I think this would also be good if the parsnips were roasted first.

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  19. Hi, just discovered your blog and I'm glad I did.
    The parsnips soups looks and sounds great and the addition of crunchy nuts is a great idea.

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  20. I have never cooked using parsnips!! This looks so creamy!

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    1. Thanks Ami, tried them last year for the first time, loved them ever since.

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  21. welcome back to your winter home! that first desert shot is lovely! and i bet seeing the grandkids was a lot of fun. i couldn't imagine relocating my life for months at a time. :)

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    1. Hi Tex, I'm ready to have just one place, and yes had so much fun with the grandkids......Thanks!

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  22. How wonderful to spend quality time with your grandsons, bet they love having you around.
    Soup looks and sounds delicious. Will be pulling my parsnips (as needed) as soon as we get a good frost.

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    1. Hi Norma, ooh! you are growing parsnips as well, how wonderful. Your garden sounds amazing! Yes, had a great time together, thanks!

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  23. This is my first time visiting your blog…I like it! Spending time with your grandkids is a wonderful thing. Enjoy your winter in a warm place.

    Velva

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  24. Whoa, that's a long haul! But so fun to visit your grandsons. Your soup looks delish...perfect autumn fare!

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  25. The soup looks so creamy and warming. I baked some root parsley (very similar to parsnip...well, they look almost just the same to me) the other day as afternoon snack and I will have to check our farmer market for more to make the soup.

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    1. Hi Angie, never heard of root parsley before, sounds so interesting. Do they taste the same?

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  26. looks comforting and hearthy soup!!!
    crispy bacon topping made it perfect for my licking

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  27. wow! what a comfort food! I love it!

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  28. Yummo! This soup looks and sounds delish.

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  29. I just saw this recipe last night before going to bed! I definitely want to try it but will omit the garlic. I wonder if sun chokes are still available - probably at AJs at gret cost!

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    1. Hi David, I could not find sunchokes either so I substituted potatoes, would love to hear how yours turned out.

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  30. Glad to see you've dove head first into soup season, too! The spice combination in this recipe sounds perfect for fall. Must try this.

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  31. Lovely looking soup. Has my taste buds dancing about.
    Have a super day.
    :-) Mandy xo

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  32. Hi Cheri, glad that you have some fun time together with your grandkids. Hmm... I have not cooked with parsnips but your recipe look good and delicious.

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    1. Hi Karen, last year was the first time I tried them, now they are one of my fall and winter favorites.

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  33. I bet you love the variety of living two places! Lucky, lucky lady. Wintering in Arizona - such fun! Love this hearty soup - what a gorgeous color. Grandsons are great!

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    1. Hi Tricia, yes I do, most of the time. Your right grandsons are the best!!

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  34. Great flavors in your soup, Cheri. Not too many recipes for parsnip soup around...fun to see it. Love the topping of nuts and pears too.

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    1. Thanks Barbara, could not get a hold of the sunchokes that the original recipe called for but we loved it with the potatoes.

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  35. I've never made a soup with parsnips, so I will need to try it sometime! This is perfect for fall!

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    1. Hi Nancy, loved this soup...it is definitely for fall.

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  36. Beautiful soup.. healthy and full of flavour. . Love the walnut and pear topping.. delicious!

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  37. I'm glad to hear you made it back to AZ safely! What a lovely soup to chow down on this fall. So many warm and delicious flavors.

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    1. Thanks Joanne, it's in the nineties here, still so hot!

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  38. I had a feeling you were somewhere in the process of moving your life back to AZ. And how wonderful to spend time with your grandsons! How old are they?? And this soup looks wonderful. It's a cool rainy day here in the Bay Area today, perfect soup weather :-)

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    1. Hi Susan, they are 4 and 8 and very energetic. Seems to take me a little longer to get adjusted, though it should be easier.

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  39. Cheri, I love parsnips but have never tried them in a soup. I love the pear addition too. Sound delish!
    xo
    Erin

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  40. Welcome home. Nothing is more comforting than a good bowl of soup and a piece of crusty bread. When it's cold/cool outside. It's pretty summery here but I still think I could make this.

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    1. Hi Maureen, it's in the nineties here today, but I am such a big soup fiend, love soup anytime.

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  41. That's a long trip! And as much fun as trips are, it's always good to get back home. Anyway, lovely soup! Parsnips don't get enough love, and this is a terrific recipe -- thanks so much.

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    1. Hi John, I agree, parsnips do not get much attention, thanks for stopping by.

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  42. Walnut oil - so smart with pears!

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  43. Cheri, parsnip soup with pear sounds so yumm! I love soups and sure gonna try this one soon!

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