Creamy Broccoli Pesto Soup with Pan Fried Gnocchi
RECIPE BY ALEXANDRA PASKA OF @PLANTBASED.TRAVELER
An easy yet cozy weeknight dinner that packs lots of greens is definitely a good idea!
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 1 small-medium onion (1/2 cup chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 large celery stalk or 2 smaller ones
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 cups vegetable broth (+ 1 extra cup if needed)
- 1 one-pound bag of frozen broccoli
- 1/3 cup oil-free vegan kale pesto * see notes
Topped with:
- Crispy pan-fried mini gnocchi
- Fresh parsley
Optional:
- Vegan cheese shreds
STEPS
- Finely dice peeled onion, garlic and celery.
- Heat up vegan butter in a deep pan or dutch oven, and sauté onions and celery until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add flour to the veggie mix, and stir for a minute, then stir in vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, whisking continuously until soup thickens.
- Add frozen broccoli but reserve about 1 cup of florets to add later.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, then blend soup until smooth. Either use an immersion blender or let the soup cool down enough to transfer to a blender.
- Add remaining broccoli florets to the blended soup, and simmer for a few more minutes or until broccoli florets are tender.
- If needed add some more water or broth to thin out the soup.
- Stir in pesto at the end, and if using vegan cheese shreds.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- In the meantime, pan fry gnocchi in a non stick pan with some vegan butter until crispy.
- Top broccoli soup with crispy gnocchi, fresh parsley, and enjoy!