Celery Soup with Apples and Blue Cheese
Photo: Jennifer Martine; Styling: Karen Shinto
Yields Serves 4 Total Time 30 mins
AuthorRita King, Scottsdale, AZ,
The simple addition of caramelized apples and salty blue cheese gives this tasty soup a sophisticated feel.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Cut celery into 1-in. chunks. In a large pot, boil celery and onion with broth, covered, until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Cook apple, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

Step 3
3

Working in batches, ladle celery mixture into a blender and whirl until very smooth, about 2 minutes per batch. Stir in half-and-half and season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with parsley, reserved apple, and cheese.

Ingredients

 1 head (1 1/2 lbs.) celery, stalks separated
 1/2 small onion, chopped
 1 qt. reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
 2 tablespoons butter
 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and finely chopped
 1/2 cup half-and-half
 1/4 teaspoon salt
 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Directions

Step 1
1

Cut celery into 1-in. chunks. In a large pot, boil celery and onion with broth, covered, until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Cook apple, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

Step 3
3

Working in batches, ladle celery mixture into a blender and whirl until very smooth, about 2 minutes per batch. Stir in half-and-half and season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with parsley, reserved apple, and cheese.

Celery Soup with Apples and Blue Cheese