Borger's Authentic Existential Soup
A philosophical bowl of soup inspired by Borges' 'authentic news of yourself,' featuring layered textures and a surprise ingredient that reveals itself. This french-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken broth, cauliflower, large potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cauliflower
- 1 large potatoes
- 2 leeks
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp dill
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 slices sourdough bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice 1 large potato and 2 cups cauliflower into 1/2-inch pieces. Finely chop 2 leeks (white parts only) and 3 garlic cloves.
- Step 2: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp water, then sauté leeks and garlic for 3 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add potatoes and cauliflower, stirring to coat. Pour in 4 cups chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh dill, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Step 6: Toast 2 sourdough slices until golden. Place one slice in each bowl, ladle soup over bread, and garnish with extra dill.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Borger's Authentic Existential Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Borger's Authentic Existential Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Borger's Authentic Existential Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Borger's Authentic Existential Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Borger's Authentic Existential Soup?
French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 30-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
