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Seared Broccoli and Potato Soup

5.0(6449)

This is not your average broccoli soup. Instead of merely boiling the broccoli to cook it, here, the florets are seared until deeply browned on one side while remaining bright green on the other. This gives the soup a layer of caramelized flavor while also preserving the fresh green taste of the broccoli itself. It’s a technique inspired by Andrew Feinberg of Franny’s restaurant in Brooklyn, who also uses it for zucchini soup. In this version, we’ve added potato for body, chile flakes for spice and lemon zest to heighten the citrus tang at the end.

by Melissa Clark·published 2014-11-26

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Dinner, For One, For Two, Lunch, Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Servings

(4–6)

Total time

45 min

Calories / serving

289 kcal

Ingredients (13)

serves

1/2 cup olive oil, plus more as neededolive-oil
2 heads broccoli (about 2 pounds), separated into small florets, stems peeled and dicedbroccoli
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butterbutter
1 large Spanish onion, dicedonion
5 cloves garlic, choppedgarlic
1/2 teaspoons black pepper, more for finishingpepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakesred-pepper-flakes
1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and thinly slicedpotato
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zestlemon
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, more to tastelemon
Grated Parmesan, to finishparmesan
Flaky sea salt, to finishsalt

Instructions (3 steps)

01In a large soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over high heat. Add about a third of the broccoli, just enough so that it covers the bottom of the pan in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook broccoli without moving it for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until dark brown on 1 side only (leave the other side bright green). Transfer to a big bowl and repeat with remaining broccoli and more oil. When all the broccoli has been browned, season with 1 teaspoon salt and set aside.

02Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to pan. Add onions and garlic, black and red peppers, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook onion-garlic mixture until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add potato to the pot with 1 quart water and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, cover pot and cook until potato is just tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add broccoli, cover again and cook until tender, another 5 to 10 minutes.