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Fennel and Potato Soup

A spectacular riff on the classic French potato and leek soup known as vichyssoise, this is astoundingly good. So much so that you may just find yourself raising the bowl to your lips.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 289 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more for serving
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 10 ounces fennel bulbs (1 to 2 bulbs) coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 large yellow onion coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 celery stalk coarsely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves (10 g) finely chopped
  • Pinch anise seeds (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (2 g) crushed
  • 7 ounces potatoes, preferably Yukon Gold peeled and cubed
  • 3 1/3 cups store-bought or homemade vegetable broth plus more as needed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Add the fennel, onion, celery, garlic, anise seeds, if using, and fennel seeds and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 7 to 9 minutes.
  2. Stir in the potatoes and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and cook until the potatoes begin to brown and stick to the bottom of the pan, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour in the broth, stirring and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the potatoes are softened, 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Stir in the cream, cover, and continue to simmer until the vegetables are completely softened, about 5 minutes more.
  4. Using an immersion blender (or using a standard blender and letting the mixture cool and blending it in batches), purée the soup until smooth. Season to taste with salt. If the soup seems too thick, add a little additional broth to thin.
  5. Serve the soup hot with a dribble of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and black pepper.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bowl Calories 289kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 0.3g Cholesterol 56mg (19%) Sodium 834mg (35%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 7g (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 289

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bowl
Calories 289kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 56mg 19%
Sodium 834mg 35%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 7g 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.