Creamy artichoke soup with Parmesan skins

Artichoke makes this soup ultra silky and the crispy skins add a hit of crunch and flavour – perfect as a starter for dinner with friends

  • Prep:30 mins
    Cook:30 mins
  • Serves 4
  • Easy

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal 371
  • fat 21g
  • saturates 12g
  • carbs 31g
  • sugars 15g
  • fibre 4g
  • protein 11g
  • salt 0.7g

Ingredients

  • juice ½ lemon
  • 500g Jerusalem artichokes
  • 2 tsp vegetable oil
  • 25g butter
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 floury potato (about 140g/5oz), such as King Edward, roughly chopped
  • 600ml vegetable stock or chicken stock
  • 3 tbsp whipping or double cream, plus a little extra to serve (optional)
  • 1-2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)
  • 1 rosemary sprig, leaves only, finely chopped

Method

  1. Half-fill a large bowl with water and add the lemon juice. Peel the artichokes, then toss the peelings with the vegetable oil in a bowl and set aside. Chop the artichokes into rough chunks and submerge them in the lemony water.

  2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan, and add the onion, potato, and seasoning. Drain the artichokes and stir them in. Cover the pan and sweat gently for 15 mins, stirring now and again.

  3. Pour in the stock, cover and simmer for 10-15 mins until the vegetables are completely tender. Whizz the soup in a blender or with a stick blender until very smooth, return to the pan, then add the cream and season to taste.

  4. Meanwhile, prepare the skins. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and line a baking sheet with baking parchment (not foil, they will stick). Scatter the skins over, and roast for 10 mins. Turn them over, scatter with the Parmesan and rosemary and roast for 5 mins more or until crisp and dry, then season with a pinch of flaky salt and pepper. Serve the soup in bowls, add a swirl more cream (if you like) and top with the crisp skins.

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