Root soups are hearty and healthy go-tos during the colder months. A couple of often overlooked roots, rutabagas and turnips are sometimes thought to be bitter. One quick way to take the bitterness out of these roots is to add a bit of sweetness. In this recipe, we’ve upped the ante with sweet potatoes and carrots to create a delicious soup with an abundance of healthy ingredients—plus plenty of flavour for everyone.
DIY Chinese five-spice powder
Although readily available in most grocery stores, you can easily make your own. In small, heavy skillet, combine 6 star anise pods, 2 Tbsp (30 mL) fennel seeds, 2 1/2 tsp (12 mL) black peppercorns, and 3/4 tsp (4 mL) whole cloves. Toast over medium heat just until aromatic, about 3 minutes. Transfer to mini blender. Add 1 Tbsp (15 mL) ground cinnamon. Whirl until mixture is finely ground. It can be stored in an airtight small jar; use as needed. It’s equally delicious on roast chicken or pork.
Golden Root Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) grapeseed oil
- 1 large leek, washed and sliced, light part only
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- 1 small rutabaga or 2 turnips, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 2 large carrots, scraped and chopped, about 1 1/2 cups (350 mL)
- 1 sweet potato or jewel yam, peeled and chopped, about 1 cup (250 mL)
- 4 cups (1 L) low-sodium vegetable stock
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tsp (5 mL) coconut or brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) kosher salt
- 1 cup (250 mL) full-fat coconut milk, plus extra if needed
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories109
- protein1 g
- total fat6 g
- sat. fat2 g
- total carbohydrates13 g
- sugars5 g
- fibre2 g
- sodium95 mg
Directions
01
In large soup pot over medium heat, add oil, leek, and onion. Sauté until soft. Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
02
Add all remaining ingredients—except for coconut milk. Add a splash more water if needed to make sure vegetables are just about covered with liquid. Bring to a gentle boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are fork-tender, about 30 minutes.
03
Using hand-held stick blender or transferring to high-speed blender, purée until creamy. Return to saucepan and stir in coconut milk. Heat through. Add a little more coconut milk or water if soup appears to be too thick. Season to taste with some added salt and pepper, if you wish. Serve in bowls and garnish as desired.
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Tourtière AU Cerf
Tourtière is, for me, the dish that best represents Québec. It can be traced back to the 1600s, and there’s no master recipe; every family has their own twist. Originally, it was made with game birds or game meat, like rabbit, pheasant, or moose; that’s one of the reasons why I prefer it with venison instead of beef or pork. Variation: If you prefer to make single servings, follow our lead at the restaurant, where we make individual tourtières in the form of a dome (pithivier) and fill them with 5 ounces (160 g) of the ground venison mixture. Variation: You can also use a food processor to make the dough. Place the flour, salt, and butter in the food processor and pulse about ten times, until the butter is incorporated—don’t overmix. It should look like wet sand, and a few little pieces of butter here and there is okay. With the motor running, through the feed tube, slowly add ice water until the dough forms a ball—again don’t overmix. Wrap, chill, and roll out as directed above.
Artichauts en Barigoule
My love of artichokes continues with this classic recipe, one of the best ways to eat this interesting, underrated, and strange vegetable. Frozen artichoke hearts are a time-saving substitute, though the flavour and texture of fresh artichokes are, by far, much superior and definitely preferred.
Cervelle de Canut
Cervelle de canut is basically the Boursin of France, an herbed fresh farmer’s cheese spread that’s a speciality of Lyon. The name is kind of weird, as it literally means “silk worker’s brain,” named after nineteenth-century Lyonnaise silk workers, who were called canuts. Sadly, the name reflects the low opinion of the people towards these workers. Happily for us, though, it’s delicious—creamy, fragrant, and fresh at the same time. Cervelle de canut is one of my family’s favourite dishes. It’s a great make-ahead appetizer that you can pop out of the fridge once your guests arrive. Use a full-fat cream cheese for the dish, or it will be too runny and less delicious.