Winter Vegetable Soup with Watercress Pistou

Name: Winter Vegetable Soup with Watercress Pistou
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground mustard; 4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium vegetable broth; 3 medium turnips (about 1 pound), peeled and medium dice; 2 medium parsnips (about 8 ounces), peeled and medium dice; 2 bay leaves; 1 medium celery root (about 12 ounces), peeled and medium dice; 1 cup water; 4 ounces watercress, stems trimmed, washed, and dried; 5 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup olive oil; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper

Soup Vegetables Christmas Parmesan Gluten Free Healthy Vegetarian Garlic Watercress Dinner Side Dish Winter Comfort Food Easy

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4 to 6 servings Easy

Total: About 40 mins

1 Rating

Ingredients (17)

For the soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground mustard
4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium vegetable broth
3 medium turnips (about 1 pound), peeled and medium dice
2 medium parsnips (about 8 ounces), peeled and medium dice
2 bay leaves
1 medium celery root (about 12 ounces), peeled and medium dice
1 cup water

For the pistou:

4 ounces watercress, stems trimmed, washed, and dried
5 medium garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

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Nutritional Information

Calories306
Fat18.68g
Saturated fat3.12g
Trans fat0.0g
Carbs32.63g
Fiber8.21g
Sugar9.84g
Protein5.96g
Cholesterol2.41mg
Sodium282.1mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

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Healthy and extremely simple, this variation on the French classic soupe au pistou trades summer beans, squash, and tomatoes for winter cellar staples. Though parsnips, turnips, and celery root are often overlooked, their bright, clean taste and subtle sweetness are the perfect backdrop for the fresh, spicy watercress pistou.

This recipe was featured as part of our Soups with Winter Greens.

For more, see also our easy vegetable soup recipe using pesto.

by Sarah Karnasiewicz

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There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

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Instructions

For the soup:

1Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and just beginning to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the mustard, stir to coat the onion, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2Add the remaining ingredients, season generously with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

For the pistou:

1Meanwhile, combine the watercress, garlic, and Parmesan in a blender. Remove the small cap from the blender top, cover the hole with a kitchen towel, and turn the blender on. Remove the towel and add the oil in a slow, steady stream until evenly incorporated. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender, then pulse until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

To serve:

1Remove the soup from the heat and discard the bay leaves. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into serving bowls and top each bowl with a heaping teaspoon of the pistou.

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Basic Vegetable Soup

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This soup is an equally wonderful way to use up all the leftover veggie odds and ends in your fridge, or to celebrate the freshest produce in season by buying it specifically for the dish (and if you get a CSA box, it can serve both purposes). Whatever vegetables you use, this is an easy, nutritious, and delicious meal, and endlessly customizable. Fresh pesto makes a great, vibrant garnish, but you could also simply sprinkle on a bit of grated Parmesan and cracked black pepper. Read more.