Roasted Eggplant Soup
Sunday, January 22, 2012 After making this roasted eggplant soup last week in class, I knew I would be making it again in the near future. As you probably are aware at this point, soups are one of my favorite things to make in the kitchen.
This soup is delicious. And, as an added bonus, it is a cinch to put together and is very healthy. A miracle given all the heavy cream and clarified butter we use at culinary school! It also includes one of my favorite vegetables in the world, eggplant. While I normally prefer to cook with Japanese or Italian eggplant, as I find that they contain less seeds and are less bitter, this soup involves the normal, large variety that you can find at any grocery store. Pureeing the soup at the end eliminates the need to worry about those extra chewy seeds!
After sautéing the onions and celery, simply throw in the remaining ingredients. You don’t have to worry about chopping the parsley, cilantro, or garlic, they can go in just as they are, stems and all. The ground cayenne adds an extra punch to the soup, but of course, feel free to adjust according to your own tastes and preferences.
The biggest prep required is preparing the eggplant, which simply involves cutting them lengthwise, rubbing them with olive oil and ground toasted cumin seeds (or ground cumin, if you don’t have those on hand!) and roasting them in the oven for about 30 minutes. Once this is done, remove the skin and add everything into the saucepot!
Roasted Eggplant Soup
Serves 4-5
2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise
whole cumin seeds (or ground cumin)
extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
4-5 celery stalks, chopped
chicken stock (roughly 1 quart)
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, whole
3-4 stalks fresh cilantro
1 stalk fresh thyme
1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne powder (depending on desired heat)
salt & pepper
Directions
Roast Eggplant:
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If using whole cumin seeds, toast until fragrant in skillet. Grind in mortar and pestle or with coffee grinder.
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place eggplant (sliced lengthwise) on foil-lined baking sheet. Rub with olive oil and ground cumin seeds or, ground cumin. **Whole cumin seeds will have much more flavor, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand!
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Roast eggplant for 25-35 minutes, until they can be easily pierced with a fork. Using spoon, remove eggplant meat from skin. Set aside
Soup:
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Heat 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in large soup pot over medium-low heat. Add onions and sweat until translucent and soft. Add chopped celery and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until soft.
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Pour in 1-2 cups chicken stock. Add diced tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, parsley, thyme, and eggplant. Add just enough stock to cover the surface of the contents of the soup (you can always add more stock later to thin down, if necessary!)
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Season with ground cayenne, salt & pepper.
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Bring soup to a low simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes.
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Using an immersion blender or stand blender, blend soup until smooth—you may need to do this in two batches depending on your size blender. Place soup back in pot and reheat to serve. Season.
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Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves! Enjoy.
Now that my dinner is taken care of for tonight, I’m off to study for my first practical exam, which is this coming Thursday. Eek!
Hope you all had a great weekend!
Reader Comments (5)
Looks just as good this time around. I loved that soup.
And please, don't remind me about the exam. Off to make PATE A CHOUX!
never had eggplant in soup but this looks lovely and so comforting!
Tasha -- Thanks!! That soup was one of my favorite things we've made. I made Pate a Choux last night--best studying ever.
Kankana -- I actually have only had one eggplant soup before this. It definitely is a great comfort food! Eggplant is the best. Thanks for visiting!
The last time I had roasted eggplant soup, I didn't peel the eggplants and I got the ugliest color soup ever. Regardless, it was delicious! Yours is beautiful.
I really like the ingredients in this soup! Looks super tasty and by your instructions, it doesn't appear too hard to make! I'm going to give it a try soon! After I go to the grocery store :) Your photos are awesome, which is what made me want to make it!!