| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 330 | 27g | 12g | 20g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 2g | 6g | 0.45g |
In the heart of the Rockies, one comes to truly appreciate the comforting warmth of a delicious soup on chill nights. And that’s why I find myself so smitten with this Creamy Elephant Garlic Soup. It’s full of robust flavor, heart-healthy ingredients, and roughly crafted sophistication that seems just so at home in our mountainous surroundings.
The Health Boost
The title star of this creamy delight, the humble Elephant Garlic, delivers not just a punch of flavor but a healthy dose of benefits too. Renowned for its abilities to support heart health and boost the immune system, garlic’s goodness is beautifully captured in this recipe. Paired with the antioxidants in onions and apples, it’s a veritable pharmacy in a bowl!
Don’t forget the high-quality olive oil; a fantastic source of monounsaturated fats, it’s another heart-friendly companion in this recipe. And let’s not forget the herbs; thyme and parsley are more than mere seasonings, they too bring a slew of health benefits to the table. Thyme, for instance, has known antioxidant properties while parsley has been associated with improved immune function.
Mountain Gastro Delight
Just like my specialty game meat dishes, the Creamy Elephant Garlic Soup carries this rustic quality that’s so emblematic of the mountain life. It marries simplicity with depth of flavor, echoing the breathtaking landscapes surrounding my home kitchen. What’s more, being a vegetable-based soup, it’s a wonderful addition to a hearty mountain dinner spread.
You know what I often pair this with? A beautifully roasted leg of venison or perhaps a pan-seared trout. The soup’s rich yet delicate flavors complement these robust mains so well.
And on occasions when Gordon and I wish for a light summer supper, this soup, paired with a crusty bread and a good bottle of wine, works just as brilliantly. Its versatility is, without a doubt, one of the reasons I adore this recipe. If soup could capture the essence of the mountains and all the hues of our culinary lifestyle, without a doubt, it would be this Creamy Elephant Garlic Soup.
What You’ll Need
- 3 Elephant garlic bulbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley for garnish
Method
Step One
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cut the top off each of the 3 elephant garlic bulbs, exposing the individual cloves. Drizzle each with olive oil, wrap them in foil and place them in the oven. Roast for 45-50 minutes or until the cloves are soft and browned. Allow them to cool down then squeeze the roasted cloves out of their skins.
Step Two
While the garlic roasts, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the large diced yellow onion, and cook until it becomes soft and translucent. This should take around 8-10 minutes.
Step Three
Add the diced apples to the pot along with the onions. Stir frequently, and cook for another 5 minutes or until the apples become tender.
Step Four
Once the apples and onions are ready, add in the 3 cups of vegetable stock to the pot. Stir in the roasted garlic cloves next. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step Five
Remove the pot from the heat. Using a blender or immersion blender, blend the soup until it is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick for your liking, simply add some more vegetable stock or water. Transfer it back to the pot after blending.
Step Six
Next, stir in the 1 cup of heavy cream into the creamy soup mixture. Season the soup with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of thyme. Allow the soup to heat gently over low heat. Be sure not to boil it after adding the cream to prevent it from separating.
Step Seven
Once the soup is heated through, serve it hot with fresh bread if you like. Garnish each serving with the chopped parsley. Enjoy your Creamy Elephant Garlic Soup.
