French Newlywed Soup

The lore behind this newlywed soup from the Dordogne region in Southern France varies depending on who tells it, but goes something like this….

After the wedding party and meal, the young couple would go to a nearby relative’s house to sleep. Later that night, or early in the morning, as the case might be, those wedding guests in their late teens and twenties would search for the newlyweds and rouse them from their, er, slumber to serve them this rich soup in bed. Cooked especially for the couple, it’s intended to help them recover from their wedding night.

I’m not certain if newlyweds are still hunted down on their wedding night, but the soup lives on. The Restaurant de l’Abbaye in Cadouin is well- known for their version, served from a large tureen tableside rather than bedside. No need to be a newlywed.

There are as many variations on the soup as stories behind it. This is mine.–Kimberley Lovato

LC Creamy Garlicky White Bean Soup For the Soul Note

Next time you’re not quite feeling yourself, forget chicken soup and try this hearty restorative instead.

French Garlicky White Bean Soup

• Quick Glance
• 25 M
• 1 H, 15 M
• Serves 6

Print Recipe

Want it? Click it.

Ingredients

Directions

• 1. In a stock pot over medium heat, melt the goose fat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until tender but not browned, about 10 minutes.
• 2. Stir in the flour until it forms a smooth paste. Still stirring constantly, slowly add half of the stock. Continue stirring until the mixture begins to thicken. Stir in the remaining stock and the beans. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• 3. Working in batches, pour the soup into a blender and process until smooth. Return the soup to the stock pot and place over medium-low heat. Add the cream and season with salt, white pepper, and the herbs. Adjust the heat until the soup is just simmering and then slowly stir in the vinegar. Ladle the soup into a tureen or bowls. Float large pieces of the bread on top, if using, and serve right away. And if you are bringing the soup to newlyweds, don’t forget to knock!