In a hot stockpot coated with oil, brown ginger, black beans, chiles, garlic and onions for about 3 minutes. Add carrots, celery and fennel. Season. Deglaze with wines and add the potatoes and chick peas. Add the bay, thyme and soy sauce and check for seasoning. Add vegetable stock to cover and bring to a slow boil. Simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until potatoes are fully cooked. For the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the bok choy and check again for flavor. In a large bowl, fill it with the vegetables and sauce. Garnish

Place veggies in a food processor and puree. Reheat puree in a saucepan. Mix creme fraiche and eggplant puree together. Ladle soup into a bowl and garnish with a dollop of creme fraiche mixed with eggplant puree.

Yield: depends on leftovers

Wine Recommendation: Domaine du Caillon, Chateauneuf du Pape, Cotes du Rhone, 1996