Celeriac Fennel Soup

There have been quite a few food blogger and Instagrammer friends who have challenged me to try celeriac cooked – to the point where it’s become slightly irritating. I just don’t like celeriac. My mother used to make a grated raw salad and I couldn’t even handle the smell.

Stefan from Stefan Gourmet was shaming me the other day (kidding) for not yet trying cooked celeriac. He’d just posted a dish with celeriac purée, and tried to convince me that it was a completely different flavor, and how horrible it would be for me to not experience this food out of stubbornness. Which is true, but I’m pretty proud that there’s only one food out there that I don’t like, when most people have lists in the hundreds. (Husband.)  Oh, there’s also uni. I always forget that one. Don’t like it.

During the pandemic in the early part of 2021, I discovered a second season of Amy Schumer Loves to Cook, a show I’d mentioned when I made Tinto de Verano, which is excellent. I’m not a huge fan of cooking shows; I’d rather do something more productive with my time. However, this show, filmed by their nanny while the family was holed up in a cabin during the 2020 pandemic, is Amy Schumer and her actual chef husband, Chris Fischer. The whole premise is Chef Fischer teaching Amy how to cook. I LOL’d throughout the episodes. Her husband is straight-faced yet hysterical, and they make a truly enjoyable pair.

In the first season of Amy Schumer Loves to Cook, Chris used a lot of fennel, and it became a running joke. In the second season, celeriac has stepped up to first position. Yuck for me… until… he made a soup with it! Oddly enough, the soup is not only made with celeriac, but also fennel, which I prefer cooked over raw.

The soup is puréed with yogurt and served cold, and it was too intriguing for me to ignore. Maybe people will stop bugging me about celeriac now! I liked this soup!

Celeriac and Fennel Yogurt Soup
Printable recipe below

2 heads celeriac
2 bulbs fennel
1 cup whole fat Greek yogurt
1 cup loosely packed parsley leaves
Salt
White pepper
Spicy croutons, optional
A few fennel fronds, optional

Trim the peel of the celeriac and chop into fairly uniform pieces. Clean and trim the fennel bulbs and chop in similar-sized pieces.

Bring a large pot of water to a full boil on the stove over high heat and add the celeriac and fennel.

When the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes, remove them with a slotted spoon to a blender jar and let cool; save the water.

Purée the vegetables until smooth adding the water as needed. Don’t make it too thin because yogurt will be added.

Add yogurt, parsley, salt and white pepper, and blend until smooth.

Taste for seasoning. I thought the soup rather bland, so I added 2 heaping tablespoons of chicken broth powder to the mixture.

Purée, then chill fully.

Serve cold.

You could add a drizzle of yogurt on the top, but I’m not good at drizzles!

If desired, add a few croutons and some cayenne pepper flakes.

 

 

By Published On: April 30th, 202158 Comments on Celeriac Fennel Soup

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

58 Comments

  1. BERNADETTE April 30, 2021 at 7:10 AM - Reply

    This soup has all the ingredients I like. I truly like celeriac and cook with fennel all the time. I add mashed celeriac to mashed potatoes – yum. Also, Amy Schumer is great. I don’t know how I misses that show. Going to see if I can find it. Have a good weekend.

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 7:20 AM - Reply

      The show is hysterical! I didn’t know it would have a second season, but I’m so happy it does!

  2. angiesrecipes April 30, 2021 at 7:18 AM - Reply

    The celeriac gives the fennel soup a creamy consistency. I always love HOT soups, but when the weather cooperates, then a chilled soup is definitely something very welcoming.

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 7:20 AM - Reply

      I really can hardly stand the smell of raw celery root, let alone the taste, but I’m glad I finally tried it cooked!

  3. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen April 30, 2021 at 8:21 AM - Reply

    I’m with you on celery and celeriac. While I use them both, a lot actually, I do not care for the flavor of either by itself. Almost all my mom’s soups and stews started with onion, celery, and carrot, and if they are not present, something definitely feels missing. I also love the crunch of these vegetables les in a salad, with a lot of other veggies! However, one of the worst side dishes I was ever served was braised celery. I cannot tell you how awful it was!

    • chef mimi May 4, 2021 at 7:06 AM - Reply

      Blecchhhhh. that really does sound terrible. Celery is just… weird. Although I also use it along with onions often. Celery root is different because of its strong flavor, which is why certain people have been wanting me to try it cooked. It’s a completely different flavor cooked. Thank god.

  4. Healthy World Cuisine April 30, 2021 at 8:26 AM - Reply

    Peer pressure! LOL We love fennel but have not tried celery root cooked in a soup. Beautiful photos! I think your addition of vegan chicken powder was a very good thing to give this recipe a much needed added flavor profile.

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 8:29 AM - Reply

      I know… such pressure! But I’m glad I finally tried it. The soup is good.

  5. Gerlinde April 30, 2021 at 10:20 AM - Reply

    I have celeriac root and cook with it often. Your soup looks delicious.

    • Gerlinde de Broekert April 30, 2021 at 10:22 AM - Reply

      Oops , I mean I love celeriac root

      • Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen May 4, 2021 at 7:40 PM

        I actually love both fennel and celeriac! I don’t cook with celeriac as often as I should though (ooo this mashed potatoes and celeriac are so good to my liking!) This soup is right up my alley – easy, light yet packed with flavour and delicious!

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 11:40 AM - Reply

      Do you like it raw? That’s my problem. So pungent. The soup turned out really good!

  6. Ronit Penso Tasty Eats April 30, 2021 at 11:35 AM - Reply

    I’m a huge fan of celeriac in any form, and posted a few recipes with it. However, I can see why it’s not for everyone, and it’s perfectly fine not to like an ingredient, or two, or more.. :)

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 11:39 AM - Reply

      Thank you for validating my very few dislikes of food! My list is short. I was just remembering this morning that I had a soft-shell crab at Prune (NYC) and didn’t like it. I’ll have to try that again to see if it’s the soft-shell crab or the fact that it looks like a giant spider, which is what my sister said.

      • Ronit Penso Tasty Eats April 30, 2021 at 12:09 PM

        lol Soft shell crab indeed looks like a giant spider! I definitely prefer crab meat over it. :)

  7. Hannah Kaminsky April 30, 2021 at 11:46 AM - Reply

    That is SUCH a gorgeous soup! I love the pastel green color; it just looks so refreshing.

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 11:56 AM - Reply

      It was very tasty, in spite of two ingredients that I don’t enjoy raw. And it really was pretty!

  8. For the Love of Cooking April 30, 2021 at 12:45 PM - Reply

    It looks beautiful and so delicious! Yum.

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 3:44 PM - Reply

      Thanks so much!

  9. sippitysup April 30, 2021 at 4:10 PM - Reply

    I bet you’re better at drizzles than you think. Although this soup is so pretty it hardly matters. GREG

    • chef mimi April 30, 2021 at 6:12 PM - Reply

      Well, seriously I’m not, but thanks! The soup is really good, and definitely pretty!

  10. Tandy | Lavender and Lime May 1, 2021 at 12:34 AM - Reply

    I could enjoy this soup, but not cold. I don’t watch cooking shows either unless Dave chooses to watch them.

    • chef mimi May 1, 2021 at 7:07 AM - Reply

      Somehow, maybe because of the yogurt, it’s really good cold.

  11. sherry May 1, 2021 at 4:39 AM - Reply

    i love your beautiful soup bowls but i’m not a huge fan of fennel or celeriac but if you say the soup tastes good …

    • chef mimi May 1, 2021 at 7:03 AM - Reply

      Ha! Well I don’t like either of them raw, mostly celeriac, but cooked they’re pretty good!

  12. Frank Fariello May 2, 2021 at 6:45 AM - Reply

    I actually like both celeriac and fennel, and I like them both raw and cooked. Interesting that both vegetables taste entirely different when they’re cooked, too. Never had them together, though, I have to admit. Going to give this a try!

    I’m with you about cooking shows (the kind that get featured these days on the Food Network, at least) but this one does sound like a lot of fun. Will have to check it out..

    • chef mimi May 2, 2021 at 2:14 PM - Reply

      It was especially fun during the pandemic! But I love that he’s a real chef With a cookbook and everything!

  13. neil@neilshealthymeals.com May 3, 2021 at 12:22 AM - Reply

    A celeriac soup eh? Yep that’s one I’ve not done myself before and as I’m always on the look out for new and interesting recipes this one has been added to the list. Thanks Mimi!

    • chef mimi May 3, 2021 at 6:40 AM - Reply

      Yep. Odd, right?! Except I guess not since everyone else seems to have already been on the celery root bandwagon…

  14. David @ Spiced May 3, 2021 at 6:37 AM - Reply

    You know, celeriac is just one of those foods that I have not experimented with very much. However, I am intrigued by this soup – and I like that it is served cold! This would be good for summer lunches!

    • chef mimi May 3, 2021 at 6:39 AM - Reply

      It tastes good and is definitely pretty, and the yogurt makes it really yummy and refreshing served cold.

  15. myhomefoodthatsamore May 3, 2021 at 11:15 AM - Reply

    Gosh chef Mimi, it does ‘look’ very nice but ssssh, don’t tell, I don’t like celeriac either. Or cold soup. Hats off to you for being brave and am also glad that you liked it. I will never bug you over celeriac, that’s a promise! :)

    • chef mimi May 3, 2021 at 11:36 AM - Reply

      Thank you! I appreciate that! Have you tried it cooked? It’s definitely different. But I learned from years of cooking for other people that everyone’s allowed to have their own tastes, and it is terrible to shame people for having different tastes in food. Not that anyone did that to me!

  16. Laura May 3, 2021 at 4:06 PM - Reply

    I loved that show, too! I made their wonderful Greek Salad Dip, and, like you, loved the chemistry between them, although i doubt if Amy Shumer ever really learned anything about cooking in the show. But also pretty sure with a chef husband, she likely can get by. I remember this soup! I don’t think I’ve ever even used celeriac, but it looks so lovely! And I do love fennel! May have to search for celeriac and give this a go – thanks for the recipe!

    • chef mimi May 3, 2021 at 5:41 PM - Reply

      I guess the show should be called, “Amy attempts to learn how to cook!” But it’s a fun show for sure. Celeriac is also called celery root, just fyi, when you’re looking for it. The soup is good!

  17. cookingontheweekends May 4, 2021 at 7:11 PM - Reply

    Mimi, this is such a pretty soup — I love the bright color. I admit that I seem to forget celeriac, as it’s just not on my radar. I’ve had it in hot soups but never a cold one. I must try this as I love cold soups during the summer. (And by the way, I LOVE your Tinto de Verano!) :-) ~Valentina

    • chef mimi May 4, 2021 at 7:40 PM - Reply

      That tinto is fabulous, isn’t it?! Glad you tried it. The soup is good, and definitely pretty. I probably won’t buy celeriac again, but I’m glad I cooked with it!

  18. Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen May 4, 2021 at 7:40 PM - Reply

    I actually love both fennel and celeriac! I don’t cook with celeriac as often as I should though (ooo this mashed potatoes and celeriac are so good to my liking!) This soup is right up my alley – easy, light yet packed with flavour and delicious!

    • chef mimi May 4, 2021 at 7:43 PM - Reply

      Thanks for your comment! Now that I’ve had cooked celeriac, I can see it cooked with potatoes! I might definitely do that. The soup was definitely good, and definitely pretty!

  19. Jeff the Chef May 4, 2021 at 9:50 PM - Reply

    I haven’t seen the show, but I definitely will! This soup sounds great. I love the simplicity of the ingredients. Love the color, too. And as the King of Root Vegetables, I’m absolutely fine with celeriac!

    • chef mimi May 5, 2021 at 10:08 AM - Reply

      Then you’d love this soup. It’s good, and I’m glad I tried it!

  20. kitchenriffs May 5, 2021 at 9:37 AM - Reply

    I DO like celeriac (and fennel!) so this dish is for me. Haven’t heard of that show, but it sounds like loads of fun.

    • chef mimi May 5, 2021 at 10:08 AM - Reply

      It’s fun. They were living during the pandemic as well, so it was really interesting!

  21. Raymund May 5, 2021 at 4:23 PM - Reply

    Im on the same boat, I am not a fan of both specially on soups, its quite tricky to get it right to suit my preference but once its done right they do shine. I guess I will love your recipe, all the elements that I think will work is there.

    • chef mimi May 5, 2021 at 4:39 PM - Reply

      Well I have to say that is was a great soup. Very enjoyable. It was a relief!

  22. Shannon May 6, 2021 at 4:09 AM - Reply

    The color of this soup! Just beautiful Mimi, your pictures alone are enough to get me to try this! And with the croutons on top? I’m sure I’d be a fan. 😋

    • chef mimi May 6, 2021 at 7:46 AM - Reply

      Of course it’s not vegan, but it was very good. I’m relieved it was this good!

  23. David Scott Allen May 9, 2021 at 8:56 AM - Reply

    I LOLd at the second sentence of your instructions! I’m glad you got over yourself and tried it. :) I love celériac – but for us it’s hard to find. The market had it for two minutes. Will definitely try this soup, as I love both ingredients, and want to check out Any Schumer’s cooking show though, like you, I don’t like or watch cooking shows. People hound me about that like they hound you about celériac! “You HAVE to watch the Great British Baking Show!” No, I don’t.

    • chef mimi May 9, 2021 at 9:14 AM - Reply

      No, I don’t either. Besides, I’m not a baker. I love your cakelets and the beautiful strawberry heart, but I don’t even click on most all desserts since I know I won’t be making them. Sorry 😬 The show was really funny in that they were going through the pandemic as well, and it was fascinating to find out her husband is really a chef. Kind of dead pan, too, although I just found out he’s autistic so maybe I should say that? 😳 In any case, the soup is really good, and I’ve already made a few recipes from the show!

      • David Scott Allen May 9, 2021 at 12:28 PM

        Don’t worry! I never expect to look at my desserts and am always surprise when hoots one yourself! 😁

  24. StefanGourmet May 9, 2021 at 11:35 AM - Reply

    I used to read other blogs on the train, and now that I don’t commute anymore, I don’t read enough other blogs! Thanks for the shout out Mimi, and good for you that you tried celeriac. This soup looks intriguing from the color. The celeriac you used is so small that it fits in the palm of your hand! Here they are usually larger than my hand. If you want to make this again (or even try to make celeriac puree without fennel), you could cook the vegetables sous vide (1 hour at 185F) instead of boiling it. That way, more flavor will remain in the vegetables. Celeriac is also very good when roasted in the oven. But perhaps I should not push my luck :-)

    • chef mimi May 9, 2021 at 12:46 PM - Reply

      Hahahahahaha! Maybe not! But I am glad I tried it, and I’m sure the purée is wonderful. I’m assuming you can still work from home. My daughter and husband in New York City are doing that, fortunately. Thanks for the sous vide tip!

      • StefanGourmet May 9, 2021 at 12:48 PM

        Oh yes we are both working from home. My commute is 10 seconds instead of 50 minutes, of which I used to spend about 30 (the time on train and subway) reading other blogs.

  25. Carrie Tyler May 11, 2021 at 12:14 PM - Reply

    This looks delicious! I am such a fan of soup and this sounds incredible. It’s been so long since I’ve used celery root in a recipe and I adore fennel. Thanks for this inspiration!

    • chef mimi May 11, 2021 at 12:21 PM - Reply

      Then you’d definitely love this. It’s wonderful.

  26. I do not like it raw either and raw celery is definitely a leave-it item. But cooked they do taste entirely different, it tames them. It’s an interesting mix of flavors because I find raw fennel also strong tasting.

    • chef mimi May 24, 2021 at 5:43 PM - Reply

      Exactly. So it was really a test for me, because I have never liked very much raw fennel, either! But this soup turned out great! And it is pretty.

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