Potato Parsnip Soup --

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter
4 fresh thyme sprigs
Kitchen string
5 cups (1 1/2 lb.) peeled and thinly sliced parsnips
3 leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
1 russet potato, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream

Garnishes: sour cream, fresh chives, olive oil

1. Melt butter in a medium-size Dutch oven over medium heat. Tie thyme sprigs together with kitchen string. Add parsnips, next 6 ingredients, and thyme to Dutch oven, and cook, stirring often, 10 minutes. Stir in broth and 2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 minutes.
2. Discard thyme. Process parsnip mixture, in batches, in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Return mixture to Dutch oven, and stir in heavy cream.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, 5 minutes or until hot. Serve immediately.