Description
Hearty herb-infused potato soup brings comfort from French countryside kitchens, blending rustic ingredients with delicate aromatics. Rich potato base and fresh herbs promise a soul-warming experience that connects home cooks with classic culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 to 4 cloves)
- 0.25 cup cream (or alternatives such as half and half, sour cream, or plain yogurt)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped or 0.25 tsp dried
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chives or scallions (optional for serving)
- Sour cream (optional for serving)
- Fried shallots (optional for serving)
- Hot sauce (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, creating a golden base for the soup’s flavor profile.
- Aromatic Vegetable Layer: Add onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing until they become translucent and release their subtle sweetness, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Seasoning Awakening: Incorporate garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute the intense aromatics throughout the vegetable mixture.
- Roux Development: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, whisking continuously to create a smooth, golden thickening agent that will provide the soup’s luxurious body.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually pour in the stock, whisking meticulously to eliminate any potential flour lumps and create a smooth, cohesive liquid base.
- Potato Transformation: Add potatoes and bay leaf, bringing the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the potatoes to become tender and infuse the broth with their creamy essence.
- Creamy Elevation: Remove bay leaf, stir in cream and cheese, creating a velvety texture that transforms the soup into a rich, indulgent experience.
- Textural Refinement: Partially mash or blend a portion of the soup, then reintegrate to achieve a luxurious, partially chunky consistency that celebrates the potatoes’ natural creaminess.
- Final Flourish: Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor that harmonizes all ingredients into a sublime culinary experience.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Tip: Let butter melt slowly to prevent burning and develop a rich, golden color without scorching.
- Vegetable Softening Technique: Sauté vegetables on moderate heat to release natural sugars and create a deeper flavor foundation for the soup.
- Roux Building Secret: Stir flour consistently to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, silky base that thickens the soup beautifully.
- Blending Strategy: Partially mashing potatoes creates a luxurious texture, balancing creamy smoothness with rustic potato chunks for a more interesting mouthfeel.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg