Parsnip Soup with Five-Spice Powder

Preparation info
  • Makes 5½ to 6 cups 1.4 to 1.5 l ) ;

    4 to 5

    first-course servings
    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
Soup: A Way of Life

By Barbara Kafka

Published 1998

  • About

The sweetness of parsnips that have been in frozen ground is very special. The five-spice powder is an unusual counterpoint.

Ingredients

  • 4 large parsnips, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and then across into ½-inch (1-cm) lengths
  • 5 cups (1.25 l)

Method

In a medium saucepan, bring the parsnips and stock to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Stir in the five-spice powder and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the parsnips are very soft.

Drain in a sieve, reserving the liquid. In a food processor, purée the solids with a little of the reserved liquid and then whisk the purée into the remaining liquid; or pass the w