Name: Chestnut Soup for the Holidays
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter; 1 medium Carrot (diced); 2 stalks Celery (diced); 1 Sweet Onion (diced); 2 cups Cooked Chestnuts (reserve 4 for garnish); 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme; 4 cups Chicken Broth; 1/2 cup Heavy Cream; Salt & Pepper(to taste); 4 tbsp Cooked Duck Confit or Pork Rillette; 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley; 1/4 cup Heavy Cream; 1-2 tbsp Maple Syrup

French Christmas Soup Made with Chestnuts

The holidays call for rich dishes full of flavour and lots of love. This quick and easy Christmas soup is packed full of sweet earthy flavours that you can pair with duck confit or shredded pork rillette (or even no meat at all, for the vegetarians!). Chestnuts are highlighted in this delicious soup, a nut introduced by the ancient Romans to France centuries ago. Serve this soup as a side dish, appetizer, or eat it on its own with some buttered crusty bread.

Check out the Pistou and Pastis soup-making video here.

Chestnut Soup for the Holidays

Chef François de Mélogue

This dish is easy to make chestnut soup perfect for holiday celebrating. Whether you're wanting a toasty lunch in front of the fire or a great accompaniment to a holiday meal, this soup is sure to give you what you need.

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Course Soup

Cuisine French

Servings people

Equipment

Dutch oven
Blender

Ingredients

4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
1 medium Carrot diced
2 stalks Celery diced
1 Sweet Onion diced
2 cups Cooked Chestnuts reserve 4 for garnish
3 sprigs Fresh Thyme
4 cups Chicken Broth
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
Salt & Pepper to taste
4 tbsp Cooked Duck Confit or Pork Rillette
1 tbsp Chopped Parsley
1/4 cup Heavy Cream
1-2 tbsp Maple Syrup

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter until foamy. Add the carrots, celery, and onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 8 minutes.
Add the chestnuts, thyme, stock, and duck confit or pork rillette, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vegetables are fully cooked, about 20 minutes. Add the heavy cream and simmer 5 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In the blender, working in batches, carefully purée the soup until very smooth. As you are blending, season with salt and pepper to taste.
For the maple cream, whip the cream until very firm. Stir in just enough maple syrup to give it a sweet flavour.
Divide the soup among 4 bowls and garnish each with a tablespoon of duck confit, a spoonful of cream, and parsley.

Keyword Chestnut, Christmas Recipe, Holidays, Soups

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French Christmas Soup Made with Chestnuts