Bramboračka - Czech Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (500g) 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (500g)
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 parsnip, diced 1 parsnip, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 3g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 8g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic, diced carrots, celery, and parsnip to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. 3.
   Add the diced potatoes, bay leaf, dried marjoram, and caraway seeds to the pot. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree about half of the soup until smooth. This will give the soup a creamy consistency while still maintaining some texture.
6. 6.
   Return the pureed soup to the pot and stir in the milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Serve the Bramboračka hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to dice the potatoes into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Caraway seeds — Toasting the caraway seeds in a dry pan before adding them to the soup will enhance their flavor.
• Parsley — Reserve some fresh parsley for garnishing the soup just before serving.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, add some diced smoked sausage or bacon to the soup while sautéing the vegetables.
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can puree the entire soup instead of just half.
• Feel free to customize the soup by adding other vegetables such as peas or corn.
• Serve the Bramboračka with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of grated cheese for added richness.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a larger batch for leftovers.

Serving advice

Serve the Bramboračka as a main course accompanied by crusty bread or Czech dumplings for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. Serve it in a rustic bowl or a traditional Czech soup tureen for an authentic presentation.