Roasted eggplant bisque with harissa and parmesan crisps – a bold-flavored soup that is simultaneously creamy, spicy and crispy.
roasted eggplant bisque with harissa and parmesan crispsNot that women’s undergarments are an entirely uncommon sight on one’s morning commute, but a thong on 1st Avenue?

Right in the middle of the sidewalk? In broad daylight?

It’s the kind of thing that gets you thinking.

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Like, how did they get there?

Was this a post-Thirsty Thursday walk of shame situation in which our heroine is now prancing around work, COMMANDO-STYLE while her coworkers are none-the-wiser?

Or just the result of an unfortunate gust of wind that carried this pair of pink guitar-print panties from the top of the change-of-clothes pile meant for after an after work workout session as our heroine rummaged around in her purse trying to find her work ID. (I wish I couldn’t say “been there, done that”. But yes. My underwear has seen the streets of 1st avenue on a fair number of occasions because of this exact circumstance.)

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Or, most likely, were these actually the possession of our local upper east side crossdresser who prefers to go for his midday runs in rain, snow, sleet, shine, or polar vortices while donning nothing more than a very very sheer piece of women’s lingerie? (And isn’t it just amazing that he hasn’t gotten frostbite in the most unfortunate of places yet??)

I will never know.

But when you have a fifteen block walk to the grocery store in “feels like negative temperatures” weather, these are the kinds of things you think about.

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That, and soup.

All the soup, nothing but the soup.

Warm creamy bowls of good-for-you soup that taste naughty when they’re really oh so nice.

So, basically this soup, which is essentially just roasted vegetables pureed with hints of cream, spice, and sweetness.

You might be so enchanted after just one bowl that you won’t even care where your underwear end up. (But, I really hope not.)

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One year ago…Sweet and Salty Cake (Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Chocolate Ganache Frosting)

Two years ago…Grapefruit Cardamom Polenta Pancakes, Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

Three years ago…Red Chile Enchiladas with Chicken and Melted Cheese

Four years ago…Baba Ganoush on Pesto Pine Nut Bread

Five years ago…Crockpot Pulled Pork

Roasted Eggplant Bisque with Harissa and Parmesan Crisps
 
Roasted eggplant bisque with harissa and parmesan crisps - a bold-flavored soup that is simultaneously creamy, spicy and crispy.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 8 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large eggplant, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium tomato, seeded and coarsely chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp harissa, divided
  • ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 400F. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle the cheese into 8 circles, about 1½ to 2-inches in diameter. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on pan. Set aside.
  2. Lower oven to 375. In a large bowl, toss together the eggplant, tomato, onion, olive oil, garlic powder, and a good pinch of salt and black pepper. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, or until softened.
  3. Pour vegetables into a large pot with the vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and, using an immersion blender, puree. Alternatively, you can pour the mixture into a regular blender and puree it.
  4. Stir in the cream, honey, 2 tbsp of the harissa, and salt. Bring back to a simmer to heat through. Divide among four bowls. Top each with 1 tsp of harissa, cilantro, and two parmesan crisps.
Notes
Adapted from McCormick
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bowl

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70 Responses to Roasted Eggplant Bisque with Harissa and Parmesan Crisps

  1. ramblingtart says:

    I am not a big fan of eggplant, Joanne, but harissa makes me so happy I think it could even make eggplant taste good. 🙂

  2. Johanna GGG says:

    sounds delicious – the soup, I mean! And I am glad I am not the only one to wonder what happened when I see discarded underwear (and other clothes) in the street.

  3. I want to eat ALL the parmesan crisps!

  4. You had me at roasted eggplant…but then you go and add all these other amazing things – like parmesan crisps?!? Yes, please!

  5. Hilarious post to start the week off with Joanne…and I love the harissa in your soup – spotted a jar at Mrs. Green’s this weekend.

  6. This looks amazing! It looks like you could even use it as a dip if you wanted to!

    Also, chips made out of cheese are, to date, the single greatest advancement of mankind.

  7. I have been craving eggplant lately. I wish my little local grocery store carried it. There will definitely be an eggplant or two in my cart when I make a “big” shopping trip. This recipe sounds incredible!

  8. Monica says:

    All the talk about undergarments almost distracted me from this awesome-looking soup and those crisps. : ) Here’s to soup and somewhat-random-yet-very-entertaining thoughts! ; )

  9. Corina says:

    I absolutely love eggplant so I do plan to try this. It might even be one to see if my daughter will eat, as long as I don’t go overboard on the harissa!

  10. OMG! One of the few times I’m happy to live in the middle of no where — my underwear are just casually sitting on the floor of my car, like a normal person. And when I file carry my pile of clothes into the house, I’ll pull my car into the garage so no one can see that level of shame. This soup sounds amazing — you had me at eggplant but just kept on selling it with cheese crisps.

  11. Hahha! Oh my god–the underwear thing sounds like something that would happen to me (the laundry situation and it blowing away, not the other situation!). Too funny. I love NYC.

    Anyway, this eggplant bisque sounds amazing! One of my favorite soups ever is a roasted eggplant soup that I made back in culinary school and this reminds me so much of that. Delicious! Love it!

  12. Julia says:

    Undergarments sitting on the side walk would be a definite show-stopping-I-have-to-know-how-they-got-there moment!

    This soup looks absolutely faaabooooshka! I have an eggplant sitting in my refrigerator, and it’s like, “Hey, Julia…when are you going to use me?” and now I’m like “NOW, my little babies…now.” Can’t wait to try this deliciouso bisque! With them parmesano cispy ctritters!

  13. HA! I’m laughing so hard. I feel like I’ve heard a lot of “underwear in the street” stories from NYC friends. But the image of the guy running in the snow in lingerie is just awesome.

    So into this bisque… which is only made better by those parmesan crisps. Love it all.

  14. I miss the NY crazies. They kept life interesting…

  15. I don’t think I’ve ever had an eggplant soup before – and I don’t know why, because that creamy texture is just perfect for this! Very clever.

  16. This post made my morning! So funny. And this soup sounds so good for the chilly weather we’re having right now, especially with those parm crisps!!

  17. bellini says:

    Looking outside it seems like a soup kind of day.

  18. Deena kakaya says:

    Joanne, that looks romantic (yes I did say that). Smokey, spiced, crisp, smooth…definitely a sigh-some and finger licking type recipe. I really like it xx

  19. ooooh I am such an eggplant person. It is just the easiest thing and it makes me feel full without feeling guilty. Which means i can balance that out with more cheese chips.

  20. Haha seriously how does that end up on the street?! Also your photos are so gorgeous! I adore parmesan crisps – what a fun addition!

  21. I am obsessed with harissa!!! Seriously, it’s wayyyyyy better than ketchup! Pass me a spoon!

  22. lol now you got me thinking too Joanne..how?

    i could really use this bisque.

  23. Nice idea Joanne, and this looks amazingly appetizing, we could probably devour the entire bowl!

  24. Kathryn says:

    Oh, the flavours in this soup sound incredible. Absolutely all of my favourite things!

  25. How DID they get there indeed! lol I love harissa, but have neeeever made it myself – totally trying this!

  26. The crossdressing runner! I know exactly who you’re talking about!! I haven’t seen that guy in ages…I almost forgot about him.

    I adore eggplant, but don’t eat it nearly enough. This is getting added to my dinner rotation for the week for sure!

  27. SallyBR says:

    Never made eggplant soup. Aha moment here…

    thanks. Harissa rocks.

  28. sandra says:

    I was supposed to make parmesan chips this weekend … and will definitely make them tomorrow (my other day off)!! How were they? I see yours are super finely grated. I may try some that are less fine. Do you think it will matter??

  29. I need to get my hands on or make my own harissa! Sounds wonderful and I am so impressed with the parmesan crisps. So easy yet so fancy looking!

  30. Why didn’t I think of using roasted eggplants to make a bisque?! It looks wonderfully delicious, Joanne.

  31. Hahaha – the cold makes our minds wonder into uncharted territories sometimes!

    Joanne this eggplant bisque sounds delightful!

  32. Pam says:

    Things that make you go hmmmmmm. I can honestly say, I’ve never seen a pair of underwear in the street before. I am okay with that. 🙂

    The soup sounds flavorful, hearty, and delicious. Perfect for this cold & rainy day here today.

  33. kate says:

    I actually thought you saw a person wearing said thong. Thongs on the street don’t seem as strange to me. I must be jaded.

  34. cheri says:

    What a great post made me laugh out loud, really. Anyway love this bisque!

  35. Joanne you crack me up! As I am watching Sex and the City right now this fits DIRECTLY into the scene where Carrie’s purse exploded unto the street and everything came out. Theres another option. This bisque looks delicious and that harissa would make me very happy.

  36. danielle says:

    I love eggplant and harissa. This is a big bowl of yummy and healthy comfort food – love it!

  37. Emma says:

    Haha! My mind would probably be playing all those scenarios through too….
    The soup looks gorgeous. I love roasted aubergine as a dip but make it slurp-able and even better!

  38. mina says:

    What a wonderful recipe. Can’t wait to try it. Thank you for using Mina Harissa : )

  39. Anything with Harissa is a win for me. I don’t usually make eggplant soups but I am going to try this one!

  40. Ashley Bee says:

    Even Austin is chilly today, so soup is DEFINITELY appreciated. I love bringing eggplant into the spotlight like this!

  41. gloria says:

    I love eggplanst Joanne and this look delicious!!!xx

  42. hahaha great story joanne! this soup looks so good. i love harissa!

  43. I can imagine dipping and eating till I could eat no more, these crisps look delicious 😀
    And eggplant bisque? Love it!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  44. Excellent combo J!
    I love harissa!

  45. Megan says:

    This sounds awesome! I’ve made the burnt eggplant soup from Jerusalem. Love those flavors.

  46. sippitysup says:

    Thongs are interesting. Yet a bigger question to ponder is shoes. I always see single shoes laying in the road. Surely folks would realize they are only half shod. Especially when it’s high heels I see in the road. Or I mean High Heel. GREG

  47. Monet says:

    The only thing that gets me through cold weather is hot food. Specifically hot food like this. Looks so good Joanne!

  48. Okay, you think that’s bad? How about finding a used condom at the kids’ playground. I win. Oh wait… Totally want this bisque!

  49. Hotly Spiced says:

    I wonder if the owner of the thong (we call them G-strings) was out looking for it. I love harissa and it would give the soup a good kick and I love the look of the parmesan crisps xx

  50. I want this soup right now! Ugh, so I roasted 3 eggplants I had yesterday and burnt them all. Must.buy.more.

  51. Soups sounds good. I have never tried eggplant soup, but yours looks yummy!

  52. this is just great! simply delicious!

  53. Tara says:

    I have to pick up some harissa, there are a few recipes I have bookmarked that include it!

  54. I had to crack up at your speculations as to the source of the specimen, lol! Love the soup too…I’m crazy over anything eggplant!

  55. Katerina says:

    I love eggplant and this soup/dip reminds me of our melitzanosalata! Looks so aromatic and bold!

  56. Oh My – you always crack me up with your stories haha.
    This soup?? Heavenly. And the parmesan crisp? Ahhhh give them all to me right now please!!

  57. Lol. The things one sees on a NYC street…too funny. I love eggplant and have never made it into a soup…brilliant idea and I totally want this! 🙂

  58. Lisa says:

    I’ve been quite a fan of eggplant lately. This looks and sounds divine. Yet another recipe of yours to make. I wish I could dine at your house.

  59. Eileen says:

    This soup sounds amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had eggplant in soup form before, but it so clearly needs to happen. NOM. Especially with harissa!

  60. Shannon says:

    this sounds lovely… but i think i’ll keep my undies on 😉

  61. I would’ve never thought of eggplant bisque. This looks incredibly delicious 🙂

  62. Susan says:

    This really looks delicious, Joanne! I’m having a hard time getting the panties out of my heads though!

  63. grace says:

    harissa is so wonderful–i often can’t believe i lived so long without ever having tried it!

  64. Did you really just make baba ganoush soup?? Well played, Joanne. Well played 🙂

  65. Mag says:

    So I am making this soup. And realizing it will no be enough for the 2 of us. And reading …. Oops …. Never apologize whatever happens in the kitchen (Julia Child) so it’s gonna be pasta with soupy sauce hèhèhè. He’ll never notice as it is still yummie 😉

  66. This eggplant bisque sounds great and I love the use of the harissa!

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