CURRIED POTATO AND SPINACH SOUP WITH ONION SALSA AND MINTED YOGURT

Curried Potato and Spinach Soup with Onion Salsa and Minted Yogurt image

Provided by Peter Gordon

Categories Leafy Green Herb Mustard Onion Potato Vegetable Sauté Quick & Easy Cauliflower Spinach Fall Simmer Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 29

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Ingredients

Mustard-onion salsa
4 cups chopped red onions (about 2 large)
1 1/2 tablespoons sunflower oil or canola oil
1 teaspoon nigella seeds*
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Curry oil
3 tablespoons sunflower or canola oil
4 teaspoons curry powder
Minted yogurt
2/3 cup Greek yogurt
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small head of cauliflower, halved, cored, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices, broken into pieces (about 3 cups)
1 medium white onion, chopped
3 tablespoons curry leaves
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
1 tablespoon turmeric
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth
6 bay leaves
1 9-ounce bag baby spinach leaves
1 14- to 16-ounce container firm tofu, drained, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

For mustard-onion salsa:
Combine first 5 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until onions begin to soften, stirring frequently, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until onions are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Add lemon juice and lemon peel; cook uncovered until most liquid is evaporated, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before serving.
For curry oil:
Cook oil and curry powder in heavy small skillet over medium-high heat until curry powder darkens slightly, about 1 minute. Transfer to small pitcher. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.
For minted yogurt:
Mix yogurt, green onions, and chopped mint in medium bowl. Cover and chill. Can be made 6 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
For soup:
Heat oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Add next 5 ingredients. Cook until onion and cauliflower begin to brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes; stir 2 minutes. Add turmeric and stir 1 minute. Add broth and bay leaves. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add tofu; heat until warmed through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves.
Divide soup among 6 bowls; sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve salsa, curry oil, and minted yogurt alongside.
*Nigella seeds are pungent and peppery, from a flowering plant of the same name. Also called kalonji or black onion seeds. Available at indianfoodsco.com.