Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Mushrooms & Watercress
Jerusalem Artichokes may not be much to look at, but beneath that knobbly exterior is a nutty, sweet and earthy treat. This velvety smooth Jerusalem Artichoke soup is topped with mushrooms and watercress for an easy and delicious one-bowl meal.
Scrub the artichokes to remove any dirt. It's up to you whether you peel them. I've made this soup with peeled and unpeeled artichoke and prefer the artichoke to be peeled both from a color perspective and flavor-wise, as the peeled artichoke is less bitter.
Chop the artichoke into ¾" cubes.
Place 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan over low heat and add the onions. Season the onions with salt and cook slowly, until soft. (Don't rush the onions by turning up the heat as the slow cooked onions are much sweeter and more flavorful.}
Add the garlic and cook for a few minutes, until fragrant. Add the artichoke and potatoes and cook for 5 minutes before adding the vegetable stock. Season and bring to a simmer. Cook until the potato and artichoke are tender.
I prefer the silky smoothness that blended soups have, so I leave my soup to cool for 20 minutes before blending. You can also use an immersion blender right in the pot. Check the seasonings and adjust as necessary. Keep warm while you cook the mushrooms.
Place a frying pan over a medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add half the mushrooms, making sure they are not overlapping, and fry on each side for 3 to 4 minutes, until lightly golden before turning. Season with salt and pepper just before removing from the pan. Repeat with the remaining mushrooms.
To serve, divide the soup between serving bowls and top with mushrooms and watercress. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of thyme leaves.