Ken Knecht said:Anyone have a potato soup recipe they enjoy?
Consider the classic French potages, such as the famous potage
Parmentier, made with puréed potatoes and leeks; potage Dubarry with the
potatoes and cauliflower; and potage cressonnière, with potatoes and
cress.
Here is a recipe for potage Parmentier, from _Bistro Cooking_ by
Patricia Wells, and a Czech recipe for Bramborová polévka, potato
soup,from Time-Life _Recipes: The Cooking of Vienna's Empire_, compiled
by Joseph Wechsberg.
Victor
Potage Parmentier
Leek and Potato Soup
3 large potatoes (about 1 pound; 500 g), peeled and quartered
2 leeks (about 6 ounces; 180 g), trimmed, well rinsed and cut into
julienne
3/4 cup (18.5 cl) crème fraîche or heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or chervil, for garnish
1. Combine the potatoes, leeks, and 1 quart (1 l) of water in a large
saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat and simmer gently until vegetables are meltingly soft, 35 to
40 minutes.
2. Purée the soup in a blender or food processor or pass through a food
mill. Return to the saucepan. Stir in the crème fraîche and cook over
low heat just until heated through. Adjust the seasoning and serve,
garnished with the fresh herb.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Bramborová Polévka
Potato Soup
To serve 4 to 6
2 pounds (about 4 medium-sized) boiling potatoes
6 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup diced parsnips (1/2-inch dice)
1 cup finely chopped onions
1 cup diced carrots (1/2-inch dice)
2 tablespoons flour
1 quart chicken stock, fresh or canned
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 chopped mushrooms, fresh or dried (dried mushrooms should be soaked
and drained)
Cook the unpeeled potatoes for 6 to 8 minutes in boiling water to cover,
then peel and dice them into 1/2-inch chunks. Melt the butter in a
heavy 4-quart saucepan or a soup kettle over medium heat. Add the
potatoes, celery, parsnips, onions and carrots. Let the vegetables
cook, uncovered, in the butter, stirring them occasionally, for about 10
minutes, or until they are lightly browned. Sprinkle the flour evenly
over the vegetables, then stir them until they are all well coated.
Add the stock, marjoram, salt, a few grindings of pepper and mushrooms.
Bring the soup to a boil on high heat, stirring almost constantly.
Reduce the heat to very low and partially cover the pot. Simmer for 25
to 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Taste for seasoning.
Serve in individual soup bowls or in a heated soup tureen.