Parsnip and Parmesan soup

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 750g medium-large parsnips
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 50g parmesan or grana padano, grated
• 50g butter
• 200g shallots, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1.5 litres hot chicken stock
• 4 tbsp double cream, plus extra to garnish
• 1 tbsp snipped fresh chives
• 40g bag parsnip crisps, to garnish

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°c/fan 180°c/gas 6. Cut the parsnips in half lengthways. Drop into a pan of boiling salted water, bring back to the boil and cook for 3 minutes, then drain.
2. Put the parsnips into a roasting tin and toss with the olive oil. Arrange flat-side up and sprinkle with a little of the cheese. Roast for 30-35 minutes, until light golden. Remove and cut into chunky pieces.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the shallots and cook gently for 10 minutes, until soft. Stir in the flour, then gradually add the stock and the parsnips. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Using a hand-held blender, blend until smooth, or transfer to a food processor, in batches, and whizz until smooth.
4. Shortly before you’re ready to serve, return the soup to a pan and bring back to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes or until hot, then stir in the double cream, the rest of the cheese and season to taste.
5. Ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish with another swirl of cream, snipped fresh chives and a few parsnip crisps.