Parsnip and Apple Soup

Kick off your Thanksgiving feast with a creamy, festive and flavorful soup (that just so happens to be vegan and gluten free too!!). Even if you’re not a whizz in the kitchen – no doubt you will be able to recreate this recipe with ease, and ‘wow’ your friends & family.

Meal prep bonus: this soup freezes well. Whip up a few days in advance, freeze, and reheat when guests arrive.

Note: when reheating you may need to add a bit of stock (approx ½ cup (125 mL) to 3/4 cup (175 mL)) to thin it out. You could also add some heavy cream for a touch of decadence.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) Canadian maple syrup
• ½ tsp (2 mL) each of salt, pepper and ground cardamom
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon
• 1 apple, cored and chopped (skin left on)
• 1 lb. (500 g) parsnips, well washed and skin left on, roughly chopped
• 6 cups (1.5 L) chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish:

Thinly sliced apple and fresh cracked pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven on medium heat.
2. Cook onion for 5 minutes, stirring often until lightly brown.
3. Add maple syrup, salt, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, chopped apples and parsnips.
4. Stir for a few seconds until the spices are fragrant.
5. Slowly pour in stock, while scraping the bottom of the pan (with a wooden spoon) to release any bits.
6. Bring to a boil. Simmer until parsnips are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
8. Stir in garlic.
9. Using a blender, puree in batches. Reheat soup and serve.
10. Garnish each bowl with apple slices and fresh pepper.
11. Makes 6 (250 mL) servings.

Delicious & Doable Tips:

~ Add tsp (10 mL) minced fresh ginger before blending
~ Use chopped ripe pear instead of an apple.

Where to Find ‘Delicious & Doable’ Across Ontario

Find ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ on Amazon (click here) or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
The Post Office – 18 Front St. N, Thorold
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
Cedar Canoe Books ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Clark’s On Main ~ 1090 Main Street, Dorset
Bigley’s Cottage Kitchen ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury,

Heading to Muskoka this fall/early winter? Click here for a list of my upcoming cooking classes at The Creative Cook!!

Hope to see and feed many of you soon!