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lohikeitto (finnish salmon soup)

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Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)

This classic Finnish seafood soup somehow straddles the line of being hearty and comforting while also being light, bright, and refreshing. Do not skip the flurry of dill that comes at the end. These are flavors that know each other well, but the final hit of fresh herbs, along with that hint of allspice, ties everything together to make this soup truly greater than the sum of its parts. For a thinner, lighter broth, some recipes skip the cornstarch slurry.

Ingredients

  • 1 leek, green tops removed
  • 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice, freshly ground
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup carrot, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 pound salmon, skin-off, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch plus 1 tablespoon water for slurry
  • juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

Directions

  • Begin by slicing the leek in half, lengthwise, keeping the root intact. Rinse thoroughly under cold water, making sure to remove any dirt that has collected in between the layers. Dry with a kitchen towel, trim off the root ends and slice thinly. Set aside.
  • Heat a heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter, followed by the cleaned and sliced leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, for 5-8 minutes or until the leeks are very soft but not brown.
  • Add the black pepper, allspice, and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until just fragrant. Add the carrots and potatoes, followed by the water and fish sauce.
  • Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low, letting the soup simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are just tender.
  • With the soup still simmering, add in the salmon and heavy cream. Stir gently and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. This will thicken the soup. Pour the freshly made slurry into the soup and stir gently to combine, being careful not to break up the salmon. Let simmer for another 2 minutes or until just thickened and the salmon is cooked through.
  • Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice, zest, and chopped dill. Stir gently to combine and season to taste with salt and additional pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

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