Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Parsnip Soup

📝Shopping list

To make this very simple recipe you will need these fresh ingredients available in any grocery store: 

• Parsnips - cleaned and cut into chunks
• Potatoes - peeled and cut into chunks
• Cashews - raw and unsalted
• Onion - diced
• Garlic - roasted*
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Vegetable broth
• Fresh rosemary
• Oat milk creamer - or other non-dairy milk or creamer

If you are a parsnip fan, this is a must-make recipe!  The sweet flavor of this root vegetable becomes magnified during the slow cooking process.  Blending it further enhances the yumminess turning it into parsnip lover's soup season dream.  

If you aren't yet a fan of parsnips - make this soup and you will be!!!

What are parsnips?

Parsnips are a crunchy, white root vegetable with a sweet and nutty flavor.  They look almost like white carrots.  You can eat them raw or cooked and they are delicious in countless soups and salads. 

Just like my butternut squash & cauliflower soups, this recipe is dairy-free, but delicious and creamy.  Like a hug in a bowl - especially wonderful during the colder months!     

Preparing your slow cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your the slow cooker's  if you have any concerns. 

While this step is often less important in soup recipes, but after you cook parsnips and blend them, this soup becomes very thick.  A well oiled slow cooker with make clean up much easier. 

Cooking

• 🥣  Add all ingredients, except rosemary and creamer, to your slow cooker and stir to combine.  
• 🥣  Lay 2 springs of fresh rosemary on top.
• 🥣 Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.  
• 🥣 You are ready for the next step when all veggies, nuts, and potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork. 
• 🥣 Use tongs to remove the rosemary and discard.  Be sure to scoop out any leaves that may have fallen off of the stalk
• 🥣  Using an immersion blender, carefully purify all ingredients in your slow cooker to a creamy consistency. The liquid in your slow cooker will be HOT so take care to avoid splashing.  
• 🥣  Slowly stir in plant based cream until fully combined
• 🥣  Turn your slow cooker to the "keep warm" setting until you are ready to serve.

🍽Serving suggestions

Soup recipes are amazing on their own, but sometimes you need a little more.  You may want to consider these great sidekick suggestions:

• Crisp garden salad: Fresh raw veggies can turn this protein filled parsnip soup recipe into a well rounded meal
• Simple sandwich:  Anything from tuna salad on white bread to a gooey grilled cheese sandwich to a crunchy garden wrap works
• With crusty bread:  A loaf of crusty bread would be perfect for dipping.  In fact, this thick, rich soup is divine served in a bread bowl!

🔁Substitutions

• This tasty recipe calls for a roasted head of garlic. You can roast your own or be super lazy (like me) and buy it already roasted.  Most stores sell already roasted garlic cloves or minced garlic in a jar.  My market carries in roasted in both the fresh produce section and on the olive bar.  
• While I feel that roasted garlic is best in this recipe, in a pinch fresh garlic can be used.
• If you aren't looking to keep it vegan, try subbing vegetable stock with chicken broth for a different flavor profile.
• To give your soup a "cheesy" edge and make it even thicker, stir in some nutritional yeast.  This will change he flavor and is absolutely delicious! 
• Substitute heavy cream for dairy free creamer for a richer and very creamy soup  (if you aren't trying to keep it vegan) 

😉Hints & hacks

1. Cut parsnip and potato into uniform sized chunks so they will be done around the same time
2. if you don't have an immersion/ stick blender, you can use a regular blender.  Be very careful when transferring liquid to and from your slow cooker.  It will be very hot! 
3. This delicious parsnip soup is perfect for days when your people will be eating at different times. After the cooking time, turn your slow cooker to the warm setting. Everyone can have a warm and filling dish, no matter what time they are ready to eat.
4. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!.
5. Although I am a big fan of slow cooker liners, I would not recommend using them for an immersion blender recipe. Hand blender blades can easily get caught on the liner and shred it into your soup.
6. Always double check that your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on!  There is nothing worse than coming home to a cold slow cooker! 😟