Clams turn this simple soup into an impressive starter.
8 slices streaky bacon, roughly chopped
1.5kg/3lb 4oz clams, cleaned (discard any clams that remain open after rinsing)
175ml/6fl oz white wine
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh flatleaf parsley
50g/2oz butter
1 onion, peeled, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped
500g/1lb 2oz parsnips, peeled, roughly chopped
2 fresh sprigs thyme, leaves only
750ml/1pint 7fl oz chicken stock
75ml/3fl oz double cream
1 tbsp olive oil
4 thin slices baguette, rubbed with a little oil and toasted
Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and fry half of the bacon for 1-2 minutes, or until golden-brown. Remove from the pan, using a slotted spoon, and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.
Meanwhile, heat a lidded frying pan over a medium heat. Add the clams and white wine, cover the pan with a lid and steam the clams for 2-3 minutes, or until all of the clams have opened. (Discard any clams that have not opened during cooking.)
Strain the clams through a colander and reserve the cooking liquor. Pick the clam meat from the shells, place into a bowl, season, to taste, with freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the parsley and cooked bacon and set aside.
Heat half of the butter in a saucepan until foaming and fry the onion, garlic and the remaining half of the bacon for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the parnsips and thyme and cook a further 2-3 minutes. Pour in the reserved cooking liquor from the clams, bring the mixture to the boil and cook until the volume of the liquid has reduced by one-third.
Pour in the chicken stock and return the mixture to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the parsnips are tender.
Stir in the double cream and blend the mixture in a blender until smooth.
Pass the blended soup through a sieve into the saucepan and return to the heat. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and whisk in the remaining 25g/1oz butter.
To serve, spoon some of the clams into the middle of each of 4 serving bowls. Ladle the soup around the clams and top with a slice of toast.
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