Broccoli & Apple Soup

Photo: flickr user joyosity

Ingredients

1 bunch broccoli

3 tablespoons butter

1 sm. onion, thinly sliced

1 apple, peeled, sliced, cored

roughly diced

4 cups chicken stock or water

4 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream (opt.)

2 tablespoons minced chives or parsley

Salt

Freshly ground pepper

Preparation

1. Trim 2 inches from the broccoli stalks and peel the outer skin with a vegetable peeler. Cut the broccoli into small dice.

2. Melt the butter in a 4-quart saucepan. Add the onion and apple. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.

3. Add the broccoli, stock or water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, over medium heat, for 30 minutes.

4. Remove the soup from the heat. Transfer 1/3 of soup to a blender or food processor and blend thoroughly or until smooth. Repeat in 2 more batches. With a large spoon, push the soup through a sieve into clean saucepan and discard any large pieces remaining in the sieve. Reheat the soup, stirring constantly. Taste seasoning and adjust, if necessary.

PRESENTATION: Portion out the soup into warmed bowls and serve as is or garnished with a spoonful of creme fraiche or sour cream in center. Sprinkle the creme fraiche with minced chives or parsley.