Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)

This classic Finnish seafood soup somehow straddles the line of being hearty and comforting while also being light, bright, and refreshing. Do not skip the flurry of dill that comes at the end. These are flavors that know each other well, but the final hit of fresh herbs, along with that hint of allspice, ties everything together to make this soup truly greater than the sum of its parts. For a thinner, lighter broth, some recipes skip the cornstarch slurry. I’ve included it in the recipe, as I like a thick chowder, but feel free to leave it out to your preference.

• 1 leek, green tops removed
• 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice, freshly ground
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup carrot, roughly chopped
• 2 cups potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 pound salmon, skin-off, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon corn starch plus 1 tablespoon water for slurry
• juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
• salt to taste