Bowl of broccoli soup topped with broccoli floret, cream, and nuts
FOOD NEWS
The Ingredient That Makes Gordon Ramsay's Simple Broccoli Soup Super Creamy
BY PEGGY AOKI
Chef Gordon Ramsay
As a three-star Michelin chef, Gordon Ramsay how to elevate the simplest dishes, such as broccoli soup. The chef adds a secret ingredient to ensure a creamy texture.
Bowl of broccoli soup topped with broccoli floret
In his book "Gordon Ramsay's Passion For Flavor," Ramsay’s broccoli soup recipe uses broccoli, water, salt, pepper, and British double cream, an extra-rich dairy product.
Double cream contains 50% butterfat compared to 35% butterfat in American heavy cream, making the soup extra creamy. However, the recipe still works without it.
If you can’t find double cream, you can use heavy cream as a substitute and still get a rich texture. Ramsay's recipe starts with removing the broccoli florets' stems.
Cook the florets until tender in salted water, then blend the veggie with just enough water to achieve a smooth, glossy texture without lumps or fibrous bits.
The method of gently cooking and thoroughly blending the broccoli yields a smooth soup base that's finished with double cream or heavy cream, salt, and pepper.