Monday 18 February 2008

a winter warmer: parsnip and chorizo soup

parsnip and chorizo soup 1

It's been a bit nippy here in London for the past two or three days. Brilliantly sunny, crisp, and clear as well - but nippy, nonetheless. The kind of weather that, if you go out for a walk, you become nicely heated from the inside, but also end up sporting rather fetching red tips to your ears and nose. If you're really lucky, you might also get the benefit of watery eyes and blotchy cheeks to match.

I was hoping we'd left soup weather behind, but clearly not. So here's one I whisked up earlier - parsnip and chorizo soup.

This one serves every purpose - the creamy sweetness of the parsnip is a lovely comforter, while the intense spiciness of the chorizo provides the perfect foil and just the right level of interest.

I didn't follow a recipe for this (although you'll find plenty of variations on the theme on the worldwide interwebby), so you'll have to make your own version and cross fingers and toes that it works out in much the same vein. If it doesn't, please don't come complaining to me. I did warn you.

All I did was to gently saute a couple of shallots, chopped finely, in some olive oil until translucent. I then threw in a medium carrot, diced reasonably small, and sweated it with the onion for a few moments. Finally, I added 3 good-sized parsnips, chopped into chunks of about an inch or so square, plus somewhere between 750 ml and a litre of chicken stock.

I then brought it all to the boil, turned the heat down, and let it simmer away for about 20 mins until the vegetables were tender - at which point, I added seasoning to taste, together with a small pinch of smoked paprika, and got the blender do its magic.

For the chorizo crumbs, simply fine dice some soft chorizo and fry gently until crisp and coloured - a matter of moments. Dry off on some kitchen paper, and then add to the soup.

And Bob's your proverbial uncle.

parsnip and chorizo soup 2

33 comments:

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Soups are the ultimate comfort food when everything is just thrown together and it comes out delicious and satisfying :D

Jules said...

This looks perfect for the cold winter days were having at the moment.

Heather said...

Parsnips! I love them. I have some in the fridge that I need to use before they go all woody and bitter. Never thought to pair them with chorizo, but sausage goes with everything, dunnit?

The Passionate Palate said...

Wow, this looks like the ultimate comfort food. Love your blog.

Thistlemoon said...

I wish I wish I wish I liked parsnips.....

I love the color of this soup and the chorizo! It looks amazing

Welcome to The Foodie Blogroll!

tammy said...

This soup has my name all over it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Manggy said...

Chorizo crumbs! (pangrattato?) A woman after my own heart. That looks sooo delicious!

Julia said...

Oooh this has caught my interest - I love parsnips and chorizo. I must try this.

I've nominated you for an award by the way: http://asliceofcherrypie.blogspot.com/2008/02/nice-matters.html

Chibog in Chief said...

sumptous and beautiful!! thats an ultimate comfort food :-)

Patricia Scarpin said...

It's summer here in Brazil now, but I will definitely give this soup a try when the winter comes!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Mmm, nothing beats soup on a nippy winter day. This looks perfect.

Emily said...

Mmm, a parsnip soup. Now that's really different! I'm going to have to try this sometime. Believe it or not, we actually have parsnips here!

Tiina said...

I simply love chorizo. The soup looks lovely! I have to try this.

Annemarie said...

I'm loving the cold weather right now (even if it is two-jumpers-cold at home). I'm also a chorizo addict after finding the TASTIEST sausage at Brindisa food shop, and am actively resisting putting chorizo in everything. Thanks for the excuse not to have to give it up yet. :)

test it comm said...

I have really been enjoying soups this winter. It still surprises me that you can take some simple vegetables and turn them into a tasty soup.

Anonymous said...

I like the idea of the chorizo. Seems like it would add the perfect kick.

Love your blog with all of it's beautiful pictures.

Toni said...

I adore parsnips! And the pairing of the sweetness of them with the spicy, salty chorizo is perfect!

David Hall said...

It is now lunchtime, I'm starving, and I have just read this. Cue loud belly rumbles. Thanks!

Delish.

Cheers
David

Cakelaw said...

Yum - this looks so good.

Laura Paterson said...

mmmm... I love parsnip soup - it's one of my favourites! Also love chorizo - but hadn't thought of combining the two!

I have tagged you here - it would be great if you wanted to play!

Rosie said...

This is perfect for pure comfort on the cold days we've been having in the UK.

Rosie x

Anonymous said...

maybe i'm a freakshow, but i just love a well-photographed bowl of soup. parsnip and chorizo are two of my favorite flavors. you can't go wrong with sausage!

i'm digging your blog.

Sylvie said...

I would have loved some of your soup last night. As I was driving home at 9.00pm the digital clock/thermometer in town read -7C, bbbbrrrrr!

Mike of Mike's Table said...

That sounds like a delicious winter soup (coming from a non-soup person)!

Nina Timm said...

Not cold enough for soup here in SA, but will definitely print out recipe for winter time.

Ps. You've been tagged.

K. said...

Oh man does that look good... I love chorizo so much. This will grace my table at some point during 2008.

amna said...

such lovely pics u have in ur blog :) thanks for dropping by mine :)

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I just made a corn and chorizo soup though I didn't post on it. We ate it before i could take the pics. This looks really lovely. The colors just jump off the screen!

Pixie said...

Ghetti, I thought I left a comment but looks like I didn't! Anyhow, great looking soup and I just had my first try of parsnip soup (with leek, potato and bacon) I made this morning. Delicious. Will post about it at some point!

Deborah said...

I've actually never tried a parsnip before, but this sounds wonderful!

Nilmandra said...

Ooh I must make this at some point. The husband loves parsnips so this should go down well. And chorizo... yum... Thanks for the idea!

Spice Rack said...

Chorizos are very good, they are rich in flavor and it is perfect for soup, frying or in fried rice. This is really good like longanisa and other foods like them. They are mixed with good herbs and spices from the spice rack.

It is also good during breakfast with fried egg.

iPhone Cases said...

Parsnips! I love them. I have some in the fridge that I need to use before they go all woody and bitter. Never thought to pair them with chorizo, but sausage goes with everything, dunnit?