Sopa de Pera Andorrana (Andorran Pear Soup)
A comforting and subtly sweet soup made with local pears, often enhanced with warming spices and sometimes a touch of cheese or nuts. It's a delightful way to enjoy the region's fruit.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Ripe Pears(such as Conference or Williams, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped)
- 1 liter Vegetable Broth
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 piece Cinnamon Stick
- 1 piece Star Anise
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- 50 g Optional: Toasted Almonds(for garnish)
- 50 g Optional: Crumbled Blue Cheese(for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the chopped pears, vegetable broth, cinnamon stick, and star anise to the pot. Bring to a boil.
- 3
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the pears are very tender.
- 4
Remove the cinnamon stick and star anise. Carefully transfer the soup to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add a little more broth or water.
- 5
Return the soup to the pot. Stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Reheat gently if necessary, but do not boil.
- 6
Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with toasted almonds and/or crumbled blue cheese, if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use pears that are ripe but still firm to prevent them from becoming too mushy.
- ✓Adjust the spices to your preference; a pinch of nutmeg can also be a nice addition.
- ✓For a richer soup, you can add a splash of cream or a knob of butter at the end.
🔄 Variations
- Add a small amount of grated ginger for a spicy kick.
- Incorporate a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for added sweetness.
- Serve with crusty bread for a more substantial meal.