Delicious Green Olive Soup (Printable Version)
Vibrant Mediterranean soup with tangy green olives, herbs, and creamy potatoes for a unique appetizer or light meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 1 small carrot, peeled and diced
→ Olives & Flavor
06 - 1 cup pitted green olives, sliced
07 - 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
08 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
09 - 1 bay leaf
→ Liquids
10 - 4 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or plant-based cream
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Seasoning
13 - Salt, to taste
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
16 - Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add the diced potatoes to the pot and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat with the aromatics.
03 - Stir in the sliced green olives, capers, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute to release the aromatic oils and flavors.
04 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are completely tender.
05 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some chunks for texture, or blend fully for a completely smooth consistency.
06 - Stir in the cream and lemon juice. Heat gently without boiling, then adjust salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley. Top with additional sliced green olives if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The briny olives balance beautifully with creamy potatoes creating depth you never expect from soup
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
- Your friends will beg for the recipe after just one spoonful
02 -
- The soup thickens as it sits so plan to add a splash more broth when reheating leftovers
- Tasting before adding salt is crucial since olives and capers bring significant saltiness
- Partial blending creates the most interesting texture with creamy potato chunks and briny bits
03 -
- Make this soup a day ahead since flavors develop and meld overnight
- Freeze without the cream and add fresh cream when reheating for best texture