Creamy Artichoke Parmesan Soup
Servings 4
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven
- Blender or Immersion Blender
Ingredients
- 1 lemon halved (half for serving)
- 4 large artichokes about 1 pound each
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 2 large shallots diced
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version
- 1 large Parmesan rind + ½ cup of grated Parmesan, for garnish
- 3 thyme sprigs
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with ice water and squeeze the juice from half a lemon into it.
- Working with 1 artichoke at a time, snap off all the outer leaves. Using a sharp knife, trim the stem and base of the artichoke well and cut off the top two-thirds of the leaves.
- Scoop out the furry choke with a spoon. Rub the entire artichoke heart with the lemon half, then place into the ice water. Repeat with the remaining 3 artichokes. Cut the artichoke hearts into 1-inch pieces and return them to the water.
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium heat.
- Drain the artichoke pieces and pat them very dry. Place the artichokes, potatoes, and shallots, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are lightly browned and barely tender, about 20 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 7 minutes. Add the chicken broth, Parmesan rind, and thyme sprig and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover partially, and cook about 45 minutes, or until the veggies are very tender. Discard the thyme bundle and Parmesan rind.
- Pour the soup into a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour back into the Dutch oven or soup pot. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
- Stir in the heavy cream. Ladle into serving bowls and serve with grated Parmesan cheese and remaining lemon half, cut into wedges. Serve immediately. Enjoy.