Description
Indulge in a creamy and flavorful Tuscan Artichoke Soup, featuring velvety artichoke hearts, aromatic vegetables, and a bright lemon-olive oil drizzle. This comforting soup is perfect for a cozy meal or elegant starter.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil (2 tbsp / 30 ml): For sautéing vegetables.
- Onion (1 large / 150g / 5oz), diced: Provides a savory base.
- Garlic (2 cloves / 10g / 0.35oz), minced: Adds aromatic depth.
- Carrot (1 medium / 80g / 2.8oz), diced: Contributes sweetness and color.
- Celery (1 stalk / 50g / 1.8oz), diced: Adds a fresh, peppery note.
- Potatoes (2 small / 200g / 7oz), cubed: Adds body and creaminess.
- Artichoke Hearts (1 can / 400g / 14oz), quartered: The star ingredient.
- Vegetable Broth (1 L / 4 cups): Liquid base of the soup.
- Dried Thyme (½ tsp / 2g / 0.07oz): Adds earthy flavor.
- Bay Leaf (1): Infuses subtle aromatic complexity.
- Heavy Cream (½ cup / 120ml): Adds richness and texture.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (¼ cup / 60ml): For the lemon-olive oil drizzle.
- Lemon Zest (1 tsp / 5g / 0.2oz): Provides citrus aroma.
- Lemon Juice (1 tbsp / 15ml): Adds tangy acidity.
- Pine Nuts (1 tbsp / 15g / 0.5oz), toasted: Adds crunch and nutty flavor.
- Parsley (1 tbsp / 5g / 0.2oz), chopped: Adds color and freshness.
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat oil, sauté onion, carrot, and celery until softened (5-6 minutes).
- Add Aromatics: Stir in garlic and thyme; cook for 30 seconds.
- Simmer Soup: Add potatoes, artichokes, broth, and bay leaf; simmer until potatoes are tender (15-18 minutes).
- Purée Texture: Remove bay leaf and purée two-thirds of the soup.
- Enrich with Cream: Stir in cream and warm through.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare Drizzle: Warm olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Plate & Garnish: Ladle soup, drizzle with oil, and garnish with pine nuts and parsley.
Notes
For a lighter soup, substitute half-and-half or Greek yogurt for heavy cream. Toasting pine nuts enhances their flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: artichoke soup,tuscany,italian,vegetarian,soup,comfort food,easy,weeknight dinner