Celery and Pear Bisque

This is the other soup that I made to have at home for Dino while he's healing. This was an interesting soup - it was light and refreshing, and very different from the Split Pea Soup that I made on Friday. It was pretty easy to put together - it just took a lot of chopping.

Celery and Pear Bisque
Bon Appétit November 2010

4 ½ tablespoons butter
6 cups thinly sliced celery with leaves (preferably organic; about 12 stalks) plus chopped leaves (for garnish)
18 ounces unpeeled ripe Bartlett pears, cored, diced (generous 3 cups) plus ½ cup finely diced (for garnish)
1 ½ cups chopped dark green leek tops
3 small Turkish bay leaves
1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 ½ tablespoons all purpose flour
3 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth

Melt butter in pot over medium-high heat. Add sliced celery, generous 3 cups diced pears, leek tops, bay leaves, and thyme. Cover; cook until celery softens, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Toss in flour.

Stir in 3 cups broth; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until celery is tender, about 20 minutes.

Remove bay leaves from soup. Puree soup in batches in blender until smooth. Return puree to same pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Thin with more broth by ¼ cupfuls, if desired. Rewarm briefly.

Divide soup among bowls; garnish with ½ cup finely diced pear and celery leaves.

Big Flavors Rating: 4 Stars