Puree of Sunchoke Soup with Pickled Red Radishes and Country Bread Croutons
The sunchoke, an iron-rich tuber that looks a bit like gingerroot, takes center stage in this sweet, mellow soup, which was featured on The French Laundry’s vegetarian tasting menu last May. Pickled radishes and homemade croutons add satisfying crunch.
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The sunchoke, an iron-rich tuber that looks a bit like gingerroot, takes center stage in this sweet, mellow soup, which was featured on The French Laundry’s vegetarian tasting menu last May. Pickled radishes and homemade croutons add satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Pickled radishes
- 2 bunches red radishes, trimmed
- 1 cup Champagne vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
Croutons
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 oz. country bread, cubed (3 cups)
Sunchoke soup
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, sliced (1/2 cup)
- 1 lb. sunchokes or Jerusalem artichokes, peeled and sliced (3 1/2 cups)
- 1 pinch sugar
Preparation
1. To make Pickled Radishes: Place radishes in large heat-proof bowl. Bring vinegar, sugar, and 2 cups water to a boil in saucepan. Pour vinegar mixture over radishes, and cool to room temperature. Slice radishes into thin rounds.
2. To make Croutons: Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add bread; cook, stirring occasionally, 7 to 10 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Drain on paper-towel-lined plate.
3. To make Sunchoke Soup: Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add sunchokes, sugar, and 5 cups water. Season with salt, if desired. Simmer 30 to 35 minutes, or until sunchokes are very soft. (At this point the liquid should be reduced by about half.) Remove from heat, and purée in food processor or using handheld blender until smooth. Strain through fine-mesh strainer. Pour warm soup into bowls, and garnish with Pickled Radishes and Croutons.
Nutrition Information
- Calories 306
- Carbohydrate Content 34 g
- Cholesterol Content 0 mg
- Fat Content 18 g
- Fiber Content 3 g
- Protein Content 4 g
- Saturated Fat Content 3 g
- Sodium Content 77 mg
- Sugar Content 17 g