Char’s Rutabaga & Apple Soup

Warm up with a bowl of creamy (even though there is no cream!), delicious, doable, and economical soup. Bonus: this soup whips up (beginning to end) in less than an hour, freezes well, and is vegan and gluten-free too!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) Crosby’s Maple + Molasses ~ click here for product info (or maple syrup)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) dried sage leaves
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each of ground cinnamon, ground cardamom and pepper
• 1/2 rutabaga, peeled and chopped in cubes (about 4 cups 1 L)
• 1 apple, well washed, cored and diced (skin left on)
• 6 cups (1.5 L) vegetable stock
• 2 tsp (10 mL) minced fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish:

• croutons, pea shoots and drizzle of olive oil.

Directions

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven (or large pot) over medium heat.
2. Cook onion for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring until lightly brown.
3. Add Maple + Molasses (or maple syrup), dried herbs and spices. Cook, while stirring for a few seconds until fragrant.
4. Add rutabaga, apples and stock, scraping and bits from bottom of pot while stirring.
5. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes or until rutabaga is very fork tender.
6. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Add ginger and garlic. Using an immersion blender (or stand up blender) puree soup.
7. Reheat soup and serve! Makes about 8 cups (2 L).

Delicious & Doable Tips:

~ add finely grated zest of one orange to soup before pureeing
~ What to do with the remaining half rutabaga? Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C). Peel and chop into 1.5-inch cubs. Toss with 2 tsp (10 mL) olive oil and 1⁄4 tsp (1 mL) each of salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the centre of the
preheated oven for about 30 to 40 minutes, tossing only once or twice, until evenly brown and fork tender. Serve over mixed greens and/or with grilled salmon or chicken. Enjoy!

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 ~ 39 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon
Farmer’s Daughter – 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury