German Potato & Chervil Soup is traditionally eaten on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday which celebrates the Last Supper; in German this day is also known as Gründonnerstag (‘green Thursday’). Some traditional recipes thicken it with an egg yolk and serve it with chopped hard-boiled egg stirred through; I like to add a poached egg for an elegant entrée or nourishing supper. Serve a glass of Osborne Fino Quinta Sherry with it and enjoy!
Serves 4 as an entrée
Ingredients
- 40g butter
- 1 brown onion, finely chopped
- Salt flakes and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
- 500ml water
- 400g floury potato, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 4 eggs
- 45g chervil sprig
- ⅓ cup single cream
Method
- Melt butter in a saucepan, add onion and a good pinch of salt and cook, covered and stirring often, for 5-10 minutes, until tender but not coloured.
- Add water and potato and bring to a simmer. Cook, covered for 15 minutes or so, until potato is very tender.
- Remove from heat.
- Half fill a small saucepan with water, add vinegar and bring to a simmer.
- Stir to create a whirlpool, break an egg into the centre and poach for about 3 minutes, until the white is set and the yolk is still runny. Use a slotted spoon to remove to a plate lined with paper towel and repeat with remaining eggs.
- Add most of the chervil to the soup, reserving a little for garnish, and blitz with a stick blender until smooth.
- Return to a medium heat, stir in cream, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.
- Place an egg in warmed bowls, ladle soup over the top, garnish with remaining chervil and serve.
