Celery is a nutrient-rich vegetable that contains B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin C, and potassium. It can be prepared in many ways, and is often used to make soup. Celery soup is usually smooth and creamy due to the addition of milk or cream. For the best flavor, fresh ingredients should be used. A blender or food processor is useful to puree the soup to the proper texture.
When making celery soup, ingredients such as onion, garlic, and herbs are often used to give the soup extra flavor. For best results, it is recommended that fresh herbs are used, but dried herbs can be added if fresh ones are not available. The celery and onions should be chopped and added to melted butter or oil in a stockpot. Minced garlic and herbs should be placed in the pan with the vegetables, and everything should cook until tender, but not browned or caramelized.
After the vegetables are cooked, broth and the dairy product being used should be poured into the pot. Most recipes call for chicken broth, but vegetable broth may also be used. Celery soup made with cream generally has a thicker texture, but if milk is used, the soup can be thickened with the addition of flour or cornstarch. Several low-fat celery soup recipes use pureed potatoes in place of cream or milk to give the soup a creamy texture without added fat.
The soup should be brought to a boil once all of the ingredients have been added. As soon as the soup reaches a low boil, the pot should be covered and the heat should be reduced. The soup should be given ample time to simmer in order to thoroughly blend all of the flavors of the ingredients.
Most celery soup recipes call for the soup to be pureed before serving. The easiest way to do this is by using a food processor or a blender. The soup is slowly pureed until the desired consistency is achieved. Typically, the soup should be blended in batches to prevent splatters or spills.
Since this soup takes some time to make, it can be made in advance. It will stay fresh and flavorful in a refrigerator for up to two days. Extra soup can be frozen for later use. Celery soup can easily be reheated on a stove top on medium heat. Bread and salad are commonly served with celery soup.
