No matter how many years have passed since her untimely death, Princess Diana still lives on as the people’s princess. The stylish and gentle late Princess of Wales was much loved across the world – and by the staff at Kensington Palace.
One staff member was her private chef Darren McGrady, who has shared many memories of his time working for Diana both online and in his book “Eating Royally.” One of her favourite lunch time meals, according to Darren, was a parsnip and apple soup that he made for her “around once a week”. He said on his YouTube channel: “I made it for her all the time, especially at lunch on a cold winter day”.
The soup is parsnip and apple with a Parmesan chive foam, and although it may sound challenging – particularly the foam part – it actually comes together pretty quickly and easily.
Princess Diana’s favourite soup
Ingredients
- Two tbsp butter, unsalted
- 450g parsnips, peeled and chopped
- One Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
- One medium onion, peeled and chopped
- One tsp ground coriander
- Three cups of water
- Half a cup of heavy cream
- One chicken stock cube
- Salt and pepper
For the garnish
- Quarter cup of heavy cream
- One tbsp fresh grated Parmesan
- Three tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- One Granny Smith apple, peeled
Method
For your soup, melt the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan and then add the parsnip, apple and onion.
Saute for around five minutes then add the coriander, water and stock cube. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook until the parsnips are fork tender.
Remove it from the heat and use a stick blender to blend it until smooth.
Once blended, strain the soup through a fine mesh sieve to remove any hidden lumps.
Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper.
For the garnish, whip your heavy cream into stiff peaks then fold in the parmesan and one tablespoon of the chives.
To serve, grate some fresh apple into the bottom of the bowl and ladle the soup on top. Spoon the foam over and garnish with the remaining chives.
