Fennel-Potato Soup with Smoked Salmon

From the kitchen of Carly

Silky potato soup perfumed with fennel and toasted seeds, then finished with flakes of smoked salmon and fresh fennel fronds. The anise notes soften into sweetness as it simmers, creating something elegant yet deeply comforting.

Prep
n/a
Cook
n/a
Total
n/a
Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 13 tablespoons butter
  • 12 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed, chopped, fronds chopped and reserved
  • 11 large leek (white and pale green parts only), halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
  • 11 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 11 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (about 2 large), peeled, cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 15 1/2 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth
  • 11 ounce smoked salmon
  • 1chopped

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add fennel, leek, and fennel seeds and cook until vegetables begin to soften, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Add potatoes and 5 1/2 cups broth. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium. Cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Return soup to pot and rewarm over medium heat, stirring often and thinning with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls for desired consistency. Season soup with salt and pepper.

  2. Divide soup among bowls. Garnish with smoked salmon and reserved chopped fennel fronds.