Skip to main content

Roasted Eggplant Soup with Goat Cheese Dumplings

4.1

(43)

At Erna’s Elderberry House the ravioli-like dumplings are prepared with homemade pasta, but wonton wrappers make an easy substitute.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 10 servings

Ingredients

Soup

3 pounds eggplant (about 2 large), halved lengthwise
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb, trimmed, chopped
1 small russet potato, peeled, chopped
1 leek (white and pale green parts), sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 cup dry white wine
7 1/2 cups (or more) chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup whipping cream

Dumplings

1 tablespoon olive oil
3 shallots, chopped
1/2 cup (packed) soft fresh goat cheese (such as Montrachet), crumbled
1/2 cup chopped seeded plum tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
20 wonton wrappers

Preparation

  1. For soup:

    Step 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Place eggplant cut side down on oiled rimmed baking sheet. Bake until very tender, about 1 hour. Cool.

    Step 2

    Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion, fennel, potato, leek, garlic and oregano; sauté 10 minutes. Add wine; cook 2 minutes. Add 7 1/2 cups stock; simmer until vegetables are tender, 15 minutes. Scoop out eggplant flesh; discard skins. Add eggplant to soup. Simmer 10 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Return soup to pot. Mix in cream. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead; cool slightly. Cover; chill.)

  2. For dumplings:

    Step 3

    Heat oil in small skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté 4 minutes. Cool. Mix in cheese, tomatoes and basil. Season filling with salt and pepper. Place wrappers on work surface. Place 2 teaspoons filling in center. Brush edges with water. Fold wrappers diagonally in half; press edges to seal. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Place in single layer on floured baking sheet. Cover; chill.)

    Step 4

    Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more stock if necessary. Cook dumplings in pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls. Using slotted spoon, place 2 dumplings atop soup in each bowl.

Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like chocolate pudding and miso-peanut hibachi chicken.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Chopped kimchi and soy sauce transform mellow tuna salad into your new favorite riff on the classic diner sandwich.