Creamy potato soup with roasted garlic and parsley pesto

Creamy potato soup with roasted garlic and parsley pesto

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 4-6

Who doesn’t love a warm and comforting soup? Creamy potato soup with roasted garlic and parsley pesto is the perfect choice for chilly days or when you need a quick yet delicious dish. This recipe not only combines the delightful flavors of the ingredients but also adds a touch of elegance with the fresh parsley pesto. Let’s see how we can prepare this delicacy step by step!

Necessary ingredients:

For the soup:
- 4-5 larger potatoes
- 3 cloves of garlic (or 3 heads, depending on your preference)
- 1 chicken drumstick (or ready-made chicken broth)
- 1 onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 200 ml cooking cream
- Salt and pepper to taste

For the pesto:
- 1 large bunch of fresh parsley
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon almond flakes
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan (or another aged cheese)
- 1 crushed garlic clove

Preparation:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into cubes. If you’re using chicken, make sure to wash it well and clean it of any impurities.

2. Boiling the broth: If you already have chicken broth prepared, you can skip this step. If not, add the chicken drumstick to a pressure cooker along with the potatoes. Cover with water and let it boil for 30 minutes from the moment it starts boiling. After boiling, strain the broth and keep the cooked potatoes.

3. Sauté the onion: In a separate pot, add the olive oil and butter. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté it over low heat until it becomes translucent. This will give a sweet and rich flavor to your soup.

4. Add the broth and potatoes: Once the onion is well sautéed, add a ladle of broth and let it boil. Then, add the rest of the broth and the cooked potatoes. Let it simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Roast the garlic: Meanwhile, prepare the garlic! Take the heads of garlic and cut a little from the top, just enough to see the cloves. Wrap them in aluminum foil, drizzling with a little oil and salt. Place the package in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20-30 minutes until they become soft.

6. Blend the soup: Once the potatoes are tender and the garlic is roasted, add the garlic cloves to the soup. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it becomes creamy. You can adjust the consistency of the soup by adding more broth or water, depending on your preference.

7. Finalizing the soup: Season the soup with salt and pepper, add the cooking cream, and let it come to a boil.

Preparing the parsley pesto:

1. Wash and prepare the parsley: Wash the parsley well and pick the leaves. These will add a fresh and vibrant flavor to the dish.

2. Blend the ingredients: In a food processor, add the parsley leaves, olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, almond flakes, pumpkin seeds, and grated Parmesan. Blend until you obtain a smooth paste. The pesto can be stored in a jar with a lid in the refrigerator.

Serving:

Once the soup is ready, serve it in deep bowls. Give it an elegant touch with crispy croutons, a bit of thick Greek yogurt, roasted pumpkin seeds, parsley pesto, and a drizzle of chili-infused oil. The croutons can be made from stale bread, cut into cubes, drizzled with oil and spices, then baked in the oven for 5-10 minutes until crispy.

Useful tips:

- You can vary the recipe by adding other vegetables, such as carrots or celery, to boost the nutrients.
- If you like a stronger garlic flavor, you can add more roasted garlic cloves.
- This soup pairs wonderfully with a slice of garlic butter toast for added flavor.

Nutritional information (per serving):
- Calories: approximately 350 kcal
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g

This creamy potato soup with roasted garlic and parsley pesto is not just a tasty dish but also a way to indulge in healthy and flavorful ingredients. It’s perfect for a quiet dinner or a festive meal with loved ones. Whether you serve it as an appetizer or as a main course, you will surely leave a pleasant impression!

So, I invite you to try this recipe and enjoy every spoonful! It can quickly become a favorite recipe in your family. Enjoy your meal!