Description
Chestnut soup is smooth, nutty, and perfect for cooler weather. French-inspired flavors and a velvety finish make it a cozy dish for autumn or winter.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) roasted chestnuts or chestnut puree, chopped
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken stock
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 1 large shallot or onion, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 1 small leek, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp, about 8–10 minutes. Set aside on paper towels, then crumble for garnish.
- Retain a teaspoon of bacon drippings and introduce butter, then sauté chopped vegetables until softened and translucent, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in stock, incorporate whole chestnuts, bay leaf, and thyme. Maintain a gentle simmer with lid slightly ajar for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Take off the heat, discard the herbs, and blend the soup until completely smooth.
- Return pureed soup to the pan, gently fold in cream, sprinkle nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Warm through for an additional 5 minutes without boiling.
- Ladle into warm bowls, garnish with reserved bacon crumbles, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut, high-quality bacon for richer flavor and better texture when crumbling as a garnish.
- Vegetable Prep: Finely dice vegetables to ensure even cooking and smooth blending for a silky soup consistency.
- Chestnut Tip: Roast fresh chestnuts beforehand for deeper, nuttier taste if using whole chestnuts instead of pre-peeled ones.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap bacon for smoked paprika to create a vegetarian version that maintains a smoky undertone.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 52 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg