Description
Polish Potato Soup, known as zupa ziemniaczana, is a comforting and creamy Eastern European soup featuring Yukon Gold potatoes simmered with aromatic vegetables and herbs. This hearty soup is gently thickened by mashing potatoes directly in the pot and enriched with milk and cream, garnished with fresh dill and a dollop of sour cream for added richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 cup sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large soup pot, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it to prevent bitterness.
- Simmer Potatoes and Herbs: Add the cubed Yukon Gold potatoes, chicken broth, dried marjoram, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Remove Bay Leaf and Mash: Remove the bay leaf. Using a potato masher, lightly mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot to thicken the soup while still leaving some chunks for texture.
- Add Dairy and Heat: Stir in the whole milk and heavy cream and gently heat the soup without bringing it to a boil to prevent curdling. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh dill and a dollop of sour cream before serving for a rich, creamy finish.
Notes
- For a traditional variation, add sliced kielbasa during the simmering step to introduce a smoky, meaty flavor.
- Substitute vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version.
- This soup thickens as it cools; add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to achieve desired consistency.
