Artichoke Soup

By junerodgers

The soup is wonderfully rich, smooth, and creamy.

The recipe can be cut in half.

Ingredients

• The hearts from 5 large artichokes (see How to trim an artichoke)
• 7 Tbsp butter (3.5T)
• 1 medium size leek, white-and-light green part, sliced and rinsed (1 small)
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped (3)
• 1/2 cup chopped shallots (or yellow onion, if shallots aren't available) (1/4)
• 8 oz of Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced (4 oz)
• 12 cups of vegetable or chicken stock(6 cups)
• 1/2 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs thyme (1)
• 4 sprigs of parsley (2)
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns (1/8)
• 1/2 cup of cream (1/4)
• Salt to taste

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

1 Prepare the artichoke hearts. Cut the artichokes lengthwise into quarters. With a small knife, remove the thisley choke and discard. Cut away the leaves from the artichoke heart and reserve for steaming and eating later if desired. Cut or peel away the tough outside skin of the stems and discard. Leave an inch to two inches of stem with each of the hearts. Slice the hearts or chop to a quarter inch thickness.

2 In a large pot, melt half of the butter and cook the artichoke hearts, leek, garlic, and shallots on medium heat until tender but not brown. Add the potatoes and stock. Tie up the bay leaf, thyme, parsley, and peppercorns in cheesecloth and add to the pot. Increase heat to bring to a simmer, then lower heat and continue to simmer uncovered, 1 hour.

3 Remove and discard the herbs. Purée the soup and pass it through a fine strainer. When ready to serve, heat the soup and whisk in the remaining butter and the cream. Season with salt if needed and serve.