Spiced Root Soup With Crisp Spiced Onions Food

SPICED ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onions and fry for 5 mins until softened. Tip in the remaining veg and cook for another 5 mins, adding the chilli and cumin for final 2 mins.
• Add the lentils and stock to the pan. Bring to the boil, then lower heat and simmer for 25 mins until veg are tender and lentils are soft. Blitz until smooth with the milk and a little extra water or stock, if necessary. Season, then reheat until piping hot.
• Ladle into bowls and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped coriander.

KNOCKS AND CHOPS: KNOCKWURST WITH SPICED SAUERKRAUT AND SMOKED PORK CHOPS WITH BACON, APPLE AND ONION

Steps:

• Pierce the casings of knockwurst and arrange in medium skillet. Add 1 inch of water, bring to a simmer and warm wursts through. Remove from the pan. Drain the skillet and add butter. Melt butter over medium heat. Cut each knockwurst into 1/3 and add back to the pan to crisp casings. Add sauerkraut to the pan, sprinkle in caraway, add bay leaf and peppercorns. Pour the beer into the skillet. When the beer comes to a bubble reduce heat to simmer.
• Heat a second skillet over medium high. Add oil, 1 turn of the pan and add chopped bacon. When the bacon renders its fat, add onions and saute 3 to 5 minutes, then add sliced apples and saute mixture another 2 or 3 minutes. Add smoked chops to the pan and caramelize meat on both sides, 2 or 3 minutes. Remove chops to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Pour the beer into the pan and reduce heat to a simmer.
• When you are ready to serve, cut several slices of pumpernickel in half down the middle. Place a bowl of spicy mustard alongside the pumpernickel bread for passing at the table.
• Place 2 or 3 chunks of the knockwurst on each dinner plate on a bed of spiced sauerkraut. Serve 3 pieces of smoked pork chops topped with bacon, apples and onions. Place deli style large dill or half sour pickles, German cheeses and pretzels out for an evening of uber snacking!

SAVORY ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain, reserving drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside. Saute the celery, onion, green pepper and leeks in drippings until tender., Add the hash browns, sweet potato, parsnips, carrots and turnips; cook and stir over medium heat for 10 minutes., Add the broth, parsley, herbes de Provence, garlic, white pepper and coriander; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with sour cream, cheese and crumbled bacon.

ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Stir in onion and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, rosemary and bay leaves; cook 1 minute more. Add root vegetables, 8 cups water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove and discard rosemary branches and bay leaves. Using an immersion blender, purée soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can purée the soup in batches in a blender or food processor.) If the soup is too thick, add a little water. Season with lemon juice and more salt to taste.
• To serve, ladle soup into bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil, a few drops of lemon juice, flaky salt and crushed chile or grated cheese, if desired.