Cream of Celery

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g celery stalks, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 750ml vegetable broth
• 250ml heavy cream
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh chives, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the chopped celery to the saucepan and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the celery to slightly soften.
3. Pour in the vegetable broth, add the bay leaf, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the celery is tender.
4. Remove the bay leaf from the soup.
5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it’s smooth and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth, then return it to the saucepan.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and dried thyme, and warm the soup over low heat. Be cautious not to let it boil after adding the cream to prevent curdling.
7. Season the Creme de Celeri (Cream of Celery) Soup with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
8. Ladle the creamy soup into bowls, and if desired, garnish with fresh chives.

Enjoy your luxurious Creme de Celeri Soup as a silky and comforting appetizer or light meal, perfect for warming up on a chilly day!