Creamy Parsnip Soup

This Creamy Parsnip Soup became an instant favorite in our house. With a hint of spice, this vegetarian winter soup is a delicious way to keep warm throughout the season.

Winter is here, and it's time to hibernate, or at least slow down and get cozy. I admit, some days I wish I could just curl up in my warm bed and sleep until spring. But humans have adapted in some very delicious ways to surviving through the winter, so I guess I'll stick around. I mean, when there's hot chocolate and cozy sweaters to be had, I suppose it's not all a waste.

And thank goodness we learned how to manipulate fire and cook food because nothing could lure me out of hibernation like a bowl of hot soup and some warm, crusty bread. Add in some salted butter and maybe the promise of mulled cider, and I'm all in. Winter food might actually be some of the best food.

What makes Creamy Parsnip Soup so awesome?

This Creamy Parsnip Soup is going to become your new winter favorite. My husband has already asked to have this at Christmas, and we're not even "soup course" kind of people. It's creamy and peppery, with a distinct heat from just a bit of crushed red pepper flakes. Parsnips have a bit of sweetness to them, similar to carrots, but they're also very earthy. They become very tender when cooked, so they're ideal for a blended soup.

You could definitely serve this as a holiday soup course or warming starter for any big dinner. Of course, I think it makes a delicious meal all on its own with some accompanying crusty bread. It's perfect for a cold winter night. It will warm you to your bones. I can't think of anything better after a long day of playing in the snow.

Magical Properties of Parsnips

There's not a lot on the use of parsnips in witchcraft, but every living thing has a vibration. Intuitively, we know they're a root vegetable and grow underground, so they'll definitely bring grounding, earthy energy. With their phallic shape, you know somebody's definitely used them in spells for fertility. Cunning Celt also suggests they carry the energy of centering and prosperity. I'd use parsnips to call in stability and groundedness.

For more on the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this soup. The ful details are in the recipe card below.

• Olive oil - or whatever oil you generally like to cook with
• Garlic - fresh and chopped is awesome, but garlic paste would also suffice
• Parsnips
• Crushed red pepper flakes - aka chilli flakes
• Vegetable Stock - I use stock cubes
• Cream - heavy or double cream because you want it to be rich and delicious
• Salt and pepper

Tips for making Creamy Parsnip Soup

Soup making is pretty simple. Heat a big pot with olive oil, then add your garlic and parsnips to start softening and caramelizing just a bit. Add the red pepper flakes and cook until you can start to smell the spice, about a minute.

Add the stock, bring it to a simmer, pop the lid on, and let it do its thing until the parsnips are tender. This will take about 15 minutes, longer if you chopped your parsnips bigger. Then you'll use an immersion blender (or transfer to a standard blender if that's what you have) to blitz it until smooth. Put it back on the heat, stir in the cream, season to taste, then get to eating.

We immediately fell in love with this Creamy Parsnip Soup, and I think you will, too. It's that awesome.

Looking for more awesome soup recipes? Try this Vegan Sweet Corn & Roasted Bell Pepper Soup or some Vegetarian Black Bean Soup.

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Recipe slightly adapted from BBC Food.