Easy Pear Potato Soup Recipe
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This Easy Pear Potato Soup is a delightful soup to serve at a Downton Abbey dinner party! Even better made with Five Spice flavor and creme fraiche. Enjoy this surprise visit to Downton Abbey in England!
Friends, I am in London this week! It’s been quite the journey, but fun so far. I’ve been invited to visit London with Grey Poupon, who’s sponsoring my trip, in celebration of Downton Abbey’s 6th and final season.
Pear Potato Soup
Follow along as I share this delightful, simple Pear Potato Soup Recipe. It’s so good, easy for a Downton Abbey dinner party, or just lunch or dinner.
The leaves have changed here already, it’s rainy and cool (I bought a new raincoat), the streets are hustling and bustling with people, and my friend Lori (RecipeGirl) and I are soaking it all in. It’s been 8 years since I’ve been to London. You can also check out RecipeGirl’s recipe today: English Sausage Pastries. YUM.
Later this week we are scheduled to visit The Downton Abbey Kitchen, presented by Grey Poupon, to take part in amazing stops to locations featured in the film. That’s right, we get to experience Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle) in person this week! I’m so excited.
Most of you know that this this is the last season of this wonderful show, premiering January 3rd in the US. It will be hard to say goodbye to some of my favorite characters. And by the way, the UK launch was in September, so I’m pretty sure none of the cast will be there when we are.
Staying at the Ritz.
But, still, we’re staying at The Ritz London Hotel! Remember Alfred Nugent, who flirted with Daisy? He was O’Brien’s nephew, who arrived at Downton Abbey in 1920 after Alfred’s mother wrote to her sister, asking her to help find Alfred a position there. He worked as a footman, but eventually left Downton to get a job at the Ritz.
How fun would it be to pass Alfred in the hallway at the Ritz … I’ll let you know … (hee-hee). We head there on Wednesday!
Easy Pear Potato Soup Recipe
Since we’re hosted by Grey Poupon, I’m starting off the holiday season with a delicious recipe inspired by Downton Abbey that I created last week in my own kitchen, that I think you will love. This Easy Pear Potato Soup Recipe is very simple, made with pears and potatoes, yet it has so much flavor, with the sweetness of the pears, and the irresistibly savory flavor of Grey Poupon mustard, topped off with fresh, sweet thyme and a splash of creme fraiche.
Actually in London last evening, I enjoyed a meal and they served a pear potato soup. I asked, by chance, if they used Grey Poupon mustard? (wink-wink)
Host a Downton Abbey party.
Pull out the China, and serve to your guests for the holidays!
In true family style, my sister came over last week and cooked in our kitchen, making this delicious soup. Great food has a history and connects us with our past, so we talked a lot about our Grandma Friesen, how she always made potato soup. In fact, my dad and his wife Ginny then came over and enjoyed lunch with us!
Oh, and we’re also visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum, and heading to Bampton to tour the Downton Village, and then to Highclere Castle (be still my heart), for a tour and high tea.
So friends, if you’re excited like I am, getting ready for Season 6 (and the finale), here are more amazing Downton recipes for you to enjoy.
Pear Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1/2 pound boiling potatoes, about 3 medium, peeled and cut into small cubes
- 2 medium carrots, cut into small pieces
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 4 pears cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
- 2 tsp. Grey Poupon Dijion Mustard
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- Creme Fraiche
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter; stir in the onion. Turn the heat down to medium-low, covering the onions. Stir occasionally for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are softened.
- Turn the heat up to medium and stir in the garlic, potato, and carrot. Cover the pot and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add in the maple syrup, pear, salt, thyme, and nutmeg, stirring gently. Allow to cook on low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.
- Add in the broth and mustard, bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
- Transfer the soup in batches to a blender (or food processor), and puree for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a spoonful of creme fraiche, a sprinkle of fresh thyme and red pepper flakes.
More about my trip: Downton Abbey Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches and Downton Abbey Lavender Tea Bread.
Follow the Downton Abbey Kitchen. Follow Grey Poupon on Facebook and on Pinterest. Follow RecipeGirl and check out her amazing English Sausage Pastries recipe today!
This post is sponsored by The Downton Abbey Kitchen and Grey Poupon, who also arranged for my travel. We use Grey Poupon in our kitchen; as always, all opinions are my own.
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31 Comments on “Easy Pear Potato Soup Recipe”
Made this soup yesterday and everyone loved it! Easy to make and flavorful. A good way to use up some of our extra pear harvest :-)
Planning a Downton Abbey themed murder mystery dinner. Can’t wait to try this soup!
Okay, I wanted to wait until I made this to rate the recipe, and let me tell you, this was wonderful! I modified it slightly and kept it vegan. I started with a mirepoix, because I have a bunch of celery that I want to use. I made a triple batch of this soup so that I could freeze some for a quick dinner in the future. I let my mirepoix get a little bit of color to it, and I had an extra carrot, so it turned out a different color than your photo. I also added braised garlic. I didn’t have enough maple syrup, so I put in about 1/4 of what you called for, but I didn’t mind since I had the extra carrot. I added a bit more mustard, because I really liked the flavor it gave. I also didn’t have thyme, so I added parsley instead, and I think it made it really pop. I added Chinese 5 spice powder, which was such a good suggestion that I’m kicking myself for not using it for non-Asian dishes before now! I added powdered savory, white pepper, and I ended up using about 1/3 more broth than the recipe called for, because I was having a hard time blending the final product smoothly. 10/10, would recommend anytime!
This looks excellent! I’ve never actually seen Downton Abbey, which is quite frankly a little ridiculous, because it has so many checkboxes that I love: period costumes, beautiful old architecture, English accents, English culture, snobbery, drama, and period hairstyles! But the very first promo that I ever saw for it was some lady eviscerating another woman for being American, and it really rubbed me the wrong way, so I never watched it. I think I’m going to try this soup recipe without the maple syrup at first, with the option of adding it later. I love Grey Poupon but I rarely purchase it.
Do you just sprinkle the Five Spice Powder on top of the Creme Fraiche and how much? I can’t see where it is mentioned except in the heading. Thank you.
My boyfriend cooked it for me yesterday evening ? Absolutely amazing ❤️❤️❤️
i want to make this soup i was wondering if i could make it a day ahead heat and add the last two ingredients and serve if it is just as good the next day as it is the day it’s made?
Yes you can, Gayle!
This is so completely delightful!! And I’m still fan girl freaking out over your Downton Excursions!! Squad Goals for sure!
oh my word. i made this last night for a downton abbey dinner party and it was a HUGE hit! everybody loved it! my version turned out slightly darker… i intentionally caramelized the sweet onion just a bit because… yum. it added a bit more color to the dish and the flavor was fabulous. pears in soup… who knew!
This soup is so pretty! I’m loving the combination of flavors. And your trip, so awesome!
Just about to start making this! Just curious….do I have to peel the pears?
No, you do not have to peel the pears. But either way works! ENJOY!
I love London, and it looks like you had a wonderful time! And this soup – I love it! I must make this recipe!
Wow! So jealous. I would love to see Highclere Castle! Have a great visit. I’m a party planner and was floating the idea of having: Downton Abbey for a Day Workshop & Dinner Party. Going to research some of the many mansions here in the Minneapolis area. That kitchen menu might come in handy. Thanks for that. Any Minnesota readers like the idea? Mssg me on FB.
Erik
Erik Hansen Entertaining & Luxury Florals
(Launching my own Blog soon..very excited :D)
Lucky YOU!!!!!
I am living vicariously through all of your snaps!!! I love Downton Abbey – what a dream trip for you and Lori!! Have so much fun you two!
I’m so jealous I can barely contain myself!! OMG. I LOVE London! I spent a week there while on my honeymoon and it is one of my very favorite cities! And Grey Poupon sounds like the perfect hosts! Plus Downton Abbey?? AH! I am seriously addicted to the show and devastated that it’s ending. This soup! It looks amazing! Perfect for chilly fall weather no matter what continent you are on. Have fun!
Well, you know how jealous we all are!!! Spectacular! And the soup looks pretty spectacular too. We always have huge jars of Grey Poupon in our house from Costco. We go through it at an alarming rate!
Got mine at Costco, too. Stocking up for the holidays! Would be fun to have you here with us Carolyn!
Soup never looked more elegant. Have a great time in London. What a great opportunity.
Jealous! HOw fun!! I will admit, I’ve never watched the show! Don’t judge…lol! Soup sounds wonderful!!!
This is such a beautiful soup!!! Downton Abbey obsessed here… so can’t wait to hear about your experience!
What a special experience Sandy! I’ve loved Downton Abbey from the beginning and hate to see it end. I know they director will be doing a show in the US next so that will be fun. Enjoy your trip and can’t wait to read more about it!
Thank you Toni! We’ll tell you all about it :)
Instruction #2 says to stir in the garlic, etc but nowhere in the list of ingredients does it mention garlic :(
Just added, Sharon! Thanks for pointing that out! :)
What a trip, Sandy! That sounds amazing. I have such fond memories of England… the food, the people, the scenery.
The pear and potato. I never would’ve thought of that… but it looks absolutely marvelous!
It’s been wonderful! Thanks, Brian! :)
This looks so creamy and delicious and what a great idea adding the pear in. I cannot wait for Downton Abbey to start. My “Downton Abbey” tea set is all ready to go!
We’re all set, too! Can’t wait!!