2877. RUTABAGA SOUP with BACON and SAGE

yields 6-8 servings


2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium-large onion, diced
salt
1 medium-large rutabaga, 6 to 7 ounces, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
white pepper
3 tablespoons maple syrup
4 ounces smoked slab bacon, diced fine
20 fresh sage leaves

Melt butter in a large saucepan on low. Add onion, sprinkle with salt, cover and cook until onion is soft but not brown. Add rutabaga and garlic and cook, covered, about 20 minutes, until rutabaga can be pierced with a knife. Meanwhile, in a 3-quart saucepan, bring cream, milk and stock to a simmer.

Season rutabaga with pepper and stir in maple syrup. Cook for a few minutes, then add cream mixture. Simmer uncovered until rutabaga is soft, another 15 minutes or so. Purée in a blender and return to a clean saucepan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook bacon in a small skillet until lightly browned. Remove to a couple of sheets of paper towel. Add sage leaves to bacon fat and cook on high heat a minute or so, until crisp. Drain on paper towel. Reheat soup, check seasonings and serve with bacon and fried sage scattered on top.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Florence Fabricant,"Root Vegetables and Thanksgiving, a Match Made in Heaven," The New York Times, November 14, 2012