Stephen Hawkings Mixtape: Earth apple

Well hello!

It's been a while since we did a new mixtape, but whait no longer. This thime we did one mixtape each. All three on the theme of Fall, Autumn, Höst. Me (revK) did a very romantic jazzy rainy mix. I don't fight the fall, I embrace it... kind of...

Anyhow

here's the new mix

I have to come back with a playlist later.

And here's a recipe for a nice soup that goes down well with this mix. Jerusalem Artichoke soup, also known as earth apple soup.

The soup has a wonderfully rich, velvety texture. Serve it with hot soda bread with lashings of salted butter.

Ingredients

For the soda bread scones
275g/10oz wholemeal flour
275g/10oz plain white flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
400-500ml/14-18fl oz buttermilk

For the artichoke soup

675g/1½lb Jerusalem artichokes
a good knob of butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 potato, peeled and diced
750ml/1¼ pints vegetable stock
100ml/3½fl oz double cream
2 tbsp white truffle oil
2 tbsp chives, snipped
salt and white pepper


Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. For the scones, mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the smaller quantity of buttermilk. Mix by hand, adding more buttermilk if necessary, until you have a soft but not sticky dough.
3. Turn out on to a floured surface and knead lightly - just enough to shape the dough into a round. Flatten it to about 2.5cm/1in thick and cut out 8-10 scones, using a 7.5cm/3in plain cutter. Put on to a floured baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes, until well risen and golden. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
4. To make the soup, put the unpeeled artichokes in a pan of salted water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for eight minutes, then drain.
5. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the onion and potato. Cover and sweat until soft but not coloured.
6. Peel and mash the artichokes, then stir them into the onion and potato mixture. Add the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Purée the soup in a blender, then pour through a sieve into a clean pan. Stir in the cream and reheat the soup gently, without letting it boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
8. Ladle the soup into four warm bowls. Drizzle the truffle oil over the surface and sprinkle with the chopped chives.
9. Serve with the scones.