Skip to main content

Mark Gold's Potato Parmesan Soup for National Homemade Soup Day

Support Provided By

For National Homemade Soup Day, which for some unknown reason is always February 4, the first thing that comes to mind is the story of stone soup.

Some travelers go to a village carrying nothing more than an empty pot, and the villagers, who have little, are unwilling to help fill it. So the travelers fill the pot with water and a large stone, and place it over a fire. The curious villagers ask what they're doing, and the travelers say, "Making stone soup." But they suggest it could be better with a little garnish, so one villager feels he could part with a few carrots. Another walks by, inquires about pot, and the travelers suggest something else that could make it even better; the villager brings an onion. More villagers walk by, each adding another ingredient, until finally, a delicious soup is ready and enjoyed by all.

The moral: Generosity, cooperation, and you can throw just about anything in a pot and get a delicious, nourishing homemade soup. Especially a few potatoes and a lot of parmesan cheese.

In looking for a recipe to share for National Homemade Soup Day--and in the altruistic spirit of stone soup--we came across Mark Gold's (Eva Restaurant) delicious potato and parmesan soup in the Cart for a Cause Cookbook. The cookbook features a wonderful collection of recipes from some of L.A.'s top chefs, and all proceeds from the book, as well as the roaming food truck that inspired it, support St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Make a soup, nourish your soul, feed another. We like it.

Potato Parmesan Soup
Recipe adapted from Mark Gold, Eva Restaurant
Makes 6 servings

1 yellow onion, sliced
1 fennel bulb, sliced
8 whole garlic cloves, peeled
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and sliced
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
6 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
1 gallon vegetable stock or chicken stock (see note*)
4 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 cup heavy cream (optional)
Salt and white pepper to taste
1 lemon, juiced (about ¼ cup)

In a large stock pot over medium heat, melt the butter and cook the onion, fennel, garlic and apple until translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the potatoes and stock and bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are full cooked, about 30 minutes.

While the soup is still hot, puree in a blender in small batches. Stir in the cheese and the cream (if using). Season with salt, white pepper and lemon juice. Garnish with fennel fronds if desired.

*Note: To make vegetable stock, in a soup pot combine 3 bunches leeks, roughly chopped; 2 cloves; 4 whole heads of garlic; and 1 bunch fresh parsley, coarsely chopped. Cover with gallon of water and simmer for 1 hour. Enjoy!

Support Provided By
Read More
A black and white photo of an adult dressed as the easter bunny with a giant costumed head, holding a little girl on their left who gives it a kiss on the cheek and, with his right arm, holding a little boy who brings his hands to his eyes as though wiping away tears.

Behold the Bunnies and Bonnets of L.A.'s Past Easter Celebrations

The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
A black and white image of an elephant holding a broom with its trunk. A man is seen near the elephant, walking towards the animal.

Lions and Tigers and Cameras! How the Movies Gave Los Angeles a Zoo

The early days of the movies in Los Angeles inadvertently allowed visitors to experience the largest collection of animals in the western United States. When animals weren't appearing in a movie, they were rented out to other film companies, performed for studio visitors, or in the case of filmmaker William Selig's collection — an opportunity to create one of Los Angeles' first zoos.
A vertical, black and white portrait of a blonde woman wearing a sparkly four-leaf clover costume as she holds her arms out and extends a leg as though in a curtsy.

Irish for a Day: L.A.'s History of 'Going Green' on St. Patrick's Day

Whether it was a parade, dance, tea party, home celebration or just enjoying a good ol' wee dram of whisky, here's a photo essay of how Los Angeles donned its green apparel to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and embrace the luck o' the Irish over the years.