| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins – 35 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 150 | 10g | 5g | 12g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 2g | 4g | 0.6g |
As a seasoned food writer and proud resident of Portland, Maine, I often find myself drawn to New England’s vast array of seafood dishes. Yet, there is one particular vegetable-based dish that stands out among the rest – the fantastic Radish Soup with Crème Fraîche. Despite these radishes being far from the ocean’s salty spray, they still evoke that fresh, crisp, breezy air I associate with my coastal home. This is what brings me back time and again to this stunningly simple dish. Let me take you through my love for this zesty soup.
Health and Flavor in Harmony
Radish Soup with Crème Fraîche not only marries smooth crème fraîche with the peppery punch of radishes but also provides manifold health benefits. Radishes are packed with vitamins, fiber, and high levels of antioxidants, promoting a strong immune system. The crème fraîche gives an elegant creaminess to offset the peppery radish and aid in digestion. Every spoonful is both a taste sensation and a boost to your wellbeing.
A Soup for All Seasons
This soup showcases the radish’s versatility, featuring in winter warmers and summer refreshers alike. It’s delightfully similar to the traditional French Potage de Radis Rouge, radiating comforting warmth in the colder months. However, served chilled, it could also be likened to a Spanish Gazpacho, perfect for balmy summer evenings. Not only that, it pairs beautifully with a rustic garlic bread, or if you want to add a touch of New England, a side of clam chowder .
As I enjoy a bowl of Radish Soup with Crème Fraîche, I find myself inwardly transported to my hometown’s bustling farmers markets. I remember selecting the crisp, perfectly round radishes with my daughters, Erin and Samantha, in tow. The sharp tang of the soup takes me to fresh sea air and vibrant radishes, bridging the gap between my pastoral delights and seafood prowess. This is the beauty of food, after all, it doesn’t just nourish us – it carries us back home, even from our own kitchen tables.
What You’ll Need
- 6 large radishes, thinly sliced
- 4 cups of vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup of Crème Fraîche
- 1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
Method
Step One
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion. Cook until it’s soft and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes.
Step Two
To the pot, add the minced garlic and ginger. Continue to cook for another minute, or until the garlic and ginger are fragrant.
Step Three
Next, add the sliced radishes to the pot. Stir everything together, allowing the radishes to cook for about 2 minutes.
Step Four
Now, pour in the vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place a lid on the pot and allow the soup to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the radishes are tender.
Step Five
Once cooked, use an immersion blender to puree the soup. If you don’t own one, you can alternatively use a countertop blender. Remember to allow the soup to cool slightly before transferring it to the blender.
Step Six
After blending the soup until smooth, pour it back into the pot and stir in the Crème Fraîche. Allow the soup to heat through again over medium heat.
Step Seven
Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the soup. This will provide a fresh, bright contrast to the deliciously creamy radish soup. Enjoy your Radish Soup with Crème Fraîche hot!
