James Martin Celery Soup Food

CELERY SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, tip in the celery, garlic and potatoes and coat in the oil. Add a splash of water and a big pinch of salt and cook, stirring regularly for 15 mins, adding a little more water if the veg begins to stick.
• Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 20 mins further, until the potatoes are falling apart and the celery is soft. Use a stick blender to purée the soup, then pour in the milk and blitz again. Season to taste. Serve with crusty bread.

SIMPLE CELERY SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a big pot over medium-high heat and add the onion, stirring occasionally, letting the onions get golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and stir 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
• Add the celery, potatoes, broth, water, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and cayenne. The liquid should just cover the veggies ( if not, add a little more water). Cover, bring to a rolling boil, turn heat down and simmer gently until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Turn heat off, remove bay leaf and add the fresh herbs and just wilt them (don't cook herbs or you lose the vibrant color!)
• Using an immersion blender blend until very silky smooth - OR if using a regular blender, let cool before blending in smaller batches. ( If blending warm soup, fill blender no more than halfway full, cover tightly with a lid and kitchen towel, holding it down firmly, when you start the motor (on the lowest setting, working up gradually) to prevent a blender "explosion").
• Blend well, a full minute, until herbs are fully blended, creating a vibrant colored soup. For extra "green" color, add a handful of raw baby spinach if you like, or more fresh parsley.
• Place it back in the same pot over low heat. Stir in your choice of sour cream, or any of the other options. Gently heat, careful to not over-simmer, or you may lose the lovely vibrant color.
• To make the crispy celery leaves, heat a generous amount of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Wait until the oil is hot. Fry a "tester" celery leaf for 10-20 seconds on each side. Set on a paper towel. If it is crisp, continue on. Adding a few at a time, not overly crowding. If not crisp, fry them a little longer. You want about 3-5 leaves per serving bowl. In the same oil, you could fry the nigella seeds until you just begin to hear popping. Turn heat off. Arrange the crispy celery leaves in a crescent shape. Spoon a little of the nigella seeds along with a little oil in the same shape. Sprinkle with hemp seeds if you like.

CELERY CREAM SOUP

Steps:

• In a large sauce pan, melt butter, add celery, onions, and garlic.
• Cook over medium low heat until soft.
• Add flour and cook 1-2 minutes over low heat.
• Add chicken broth and bay leaf, bring to a boil reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Remove bay leaf, puree (in small batches) in a blender or processor.
• Add cream, lemon juice, hot sauce, salt and pepper.
• Reheat and simmer 5 minutes.
• Garnish with celery leaves.