| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 420 | 30g | 15g | 33g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 5g | 14g | 0.8g |
I am deeply connected to my Creamy Arracacha Soup with Bacon recipe on both a personal and nutritional level. Its roots are firmly planted in the nutrient-rich soil of heartwarming comfort foods, but its unique character borrows a page from international cuisine, much like myself.
My Nigerian parents have always taught me the value of utilizing every part of the ingredients we use, an ethos that underpins Nigeran cooking and has been passed down through generations. This is beautifully represented in this recipe, wherein, every ingredients such as arracacha, bacon, and the colorful variety of vegetables, each lends a unique flavor and texture to the dish.
The Afro-Southern Fusion
What I adore most about this recipe is the marriage between the richness of Southern-style cooking with the vibrant and robust flavors intrinsic to West African cuisine. While arracacha isn’t a common vegetable in the South, it echoes the comfort of familiar root vegetables like potatoes while introducing an exciting twist. You can think of it as a cousin to the potato leek soup or the classic potato bacon soup- but with an elevated and bold flavor profile.
When you spoon through the creamy top layer of the soup, you reach the chewy, savory bites of diced bacon. It’s a juxtaposition that feels wholeheartedly Southern, yet the integration of arracacha brings us back to the soil of South America (source).
Health in a Bowl
Aside from its delicious flavor, this Creamy Arracacha Soup with Bacon has several health benefits. Arracacha, a root vegetable originally from the Andes, is a great source of dietary fiber, calcium, and vitamin C. Paired with a rich broth full of minerals and an array of vibrant vegetables, this recipe emerges as a dish that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
And don’t discount the bacon. Though often frowned upon by strict dieters, bacon actually has its nutritional merits. It’s a good source of protein and gives us an appreciable amount of phosphorus, which plays a key role in maintaining bone health (source).
Whether you’re preventing a cold or simply looking for comfort on a chilly night, this Creamy Arracacha Soup with Bacon could be just the gourmet wellness you need. You can easily pair this with a side salad or some fresh bread to make it a complete meal. Alternatively, serve it as an appetizer for a Southern-style barbecue or a Nigerian-themed banquet to bridge these two cherished cultures on one dinner table.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 pounds of arracacha, peeled and chopped
- 6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 8 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup of chopped celery
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper
- Parsley for garnish
Method
Step One
In a large pot, cook the diced bacon over medium-high heat until it is crispy. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside, but leave the bacon fat in the pot.
Step Two
In the same pot with the bacon fat, add the diced onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, and chopped carrots. Cook for about 5 – 7 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and the onions have become translucent.
Step Three
Add the peeled and chopped arracacha to the pot. Stir the arracacha into the other ingredients and allow it to cook for another 2 – 3 minutes, until it begins to soften.
Step Four
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth into the pot. Season the pot with salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to simmer for about 20 – 30 minutes, or until the arracacha is tender and easy to break with a fork.
Step Five
Use an immersion blender, or transfer the soup to a regular blender, to puree the soup until it is smooth.
Step Six
After blending, return the soup to the pot (if needed), and stir in the heavy cream. Let the soup simmer for a further 10 – 15 minutes, until it is heated through.
Step Seven
Serve the Creamy Arracacha Soup hot, garnished with the cooked bacon and some parsley. Enjoy your homemade soup!
