Swede is easy to prepare and can be cooked in much the same way as potatoes – so you can peel, boil, roast or mash it. Swedes are best stored in a cool, dry place and you’ll find them in season over winter, from October to February. Check out our All about: Swede post here, to learn a bit more about this root vegetable also known as rutabanga.
This recipe is easy to prepare and makes a great way to eat swede, you can serve it with home-made croutons with herbs using bread left overs, or just some crusty bread.
Both recipe and picture are from BBC Good Food.
Ingredients
- 1 swede, peeled and cut into cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely sliced
- 2 stalks celery, finely sliced
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 6 stalks fresh thyme, leaves only
- 1.25 litres/2 pints vegetable stock
- 142ml/5fl oz carton single cream
- fresh thyme leaves to garnish
Preparation method
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
- Place the cubes of swede in a roasting tray. Drizzle over two tablespoons of the olive oil and season.
- Roast in oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and tender, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large heavy-based saucepan, stir in the onion, carrots, celery, garlic and thyme leaves and fry for 4-5 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Add the roasted swede to the pan and pour over the stock.
- Bring gently to the boil, cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Purée the soup in a food processor or liquidiser until completely smooth. Pass through a sieve for an extra fine texture if preferred.
- Transfer the soup back to a clean saucepan. Stir in most of the cream, reserving some for garnishing. Gently heat through and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve in warm bowls or a soup tureen and garnish with a swirl of cream, some fresh thyme leaves and freshly ground black pepper.