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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
