3 tablespoons butter (or half butter and half olive oil)
1 pound parsnips, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup maple syrup
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Salt to taste
1/2 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed soup pot until it begins to brown. Add and sauté the chopped parsnips, onions and garlic until the onions are translucent but not brown. Then add the broth and nutmeg, bring to a simmer, and cook until parsnips are soft, about 40 minutes. Add the evaporated milk and remove from heat. Pour into a blender/food processor and puree until velvety smooth. You can also leave the soup in the pot and use a hand blender or stick blender to puree. Stir in maple syrup, mustard, and salt. Serve hot with toasted nuts for garnish. Serves 8.
We thank the cookbook Simply in Season for this recipe.