Miso Potato Soup

We love fusion foods in our house! This one was easy. By using miso as the primary seasoning, this Eastern European soup is given a Japanese twist. The fusion results in a satisfying richness.

Miso Potato Soup

3 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
4 Yukon Gold or Red potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 cups water
3 bay leaves
2 Tbsp white miso
1 tsp Vegeta or seasoning salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Handful of fresh chives

1. First make a roux, a basic thickening agent, by combining equal amounts of olive oil and flour. Heat oil on high in a large pot. When oil is hot, turn heat down to medium. Add the flour gradually and stir constantly. It should be smooth with no lumps. Keep stirring until the flour is light brown. Make sure it doesn’t burn.
2. Remove from heat and add the water. Be very careful not to splash yourself as the roux will be extremely hot.
3. Add potatoes and bay leaves to pot. Cover the potatoes with salted water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork.
4. Remove soup from heat. Take out the Bay leaves and discard. Use a potato masher to combine the miso with the potatoes. Mash until soup is thick and creamy.
5. Add vegeta, salt and pepper. Taste soup and see if you would like to add more seasonings.
6. Sprinkle each serving of soup with fresh chives.
Serves 4.

What are your favourite fusion foods?

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Creamy Potato Soup

This recipe has been in our family for generations. It’s delicious, creamy and so comforting on a cold day. We like to eat it with grilled cheese or French bread.

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 cups water (or more, if needed)
3 Bay leaves
2 teaspoons Vegeta (or seasoning salt)
Salt and pepper to taste
4 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

First, make a roux (pronounced “roo”). Roux is a basic thickening agent used when making stews, soups and sauces. Traditional roux recipes call for equal parts of butter and flour, but in this creamy potato soup we prefer to use olive oil.

1. Heat oil in a pan. Turn the heat down to medium. Add the flour gradually and stir constantly. It should be smooth with no lumps. Keep stirring until the flour is light brown. Make sure it doesn’t burn.
2. Remove from heat and add water. Be very careful, the roux will be extremely hot, and when you add water, be careful not to splash yourself or get burned.
3. Add potatoes, carrots, Bay leaves, salt, pepper and Vegeta.
4. Bring to a boil and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are soft.
5. Mash with a potato masher instead of using a blender.
6. Stir in sour cream and parsley, and remove Bay leaves. For a vegan version of this soup, omit sour cream. The soup is still very yummy.
7. Serve hot with a slice of fresh French bread or grilled cheese.