I needed just one celery stalk to make a fresh chicken stock from scratch. However I could only find the large heads of celery. Way too much of course for my chicken stock! So what should I do with it? This celery soup recipe!
A salad?
Nope, I am not really craving a salad for lunch today.
So should I just freeze it for later then?
That is also a thought that crossed my mind. Not a good idea. Celery contains a lot of water, so freezing it would make it very mushy once it has thawed.
Making it only useful in yet another stock of some sorts.
Fresh Celery Recipe Ideas
And then the idea of this celery soup recipe came to my mind!
This one is light, wholesome and filling: the perfect lunch soup by the sound of it!
Do you like fresh celery?
I know quite a few people who hate raw celery, but I absolutely love it.
It is actually one of my favorite snacks when I feel a little hungry in the afternoon. A couple of chunks of raw celery, some walnuts and a slice of cheddar cheese.
Delicious.
Easy Homemade Celery Soup Recipe
If you also like celery, then you should take a look at another one of my recipes.
A Belgian classic: meatballs in a creamy celery sauce.
Comfort food at its best.
At least if you ask me. It is quite an old fashioned recipe that you will hardly see on a menu nowadays. And that is why you should definitely make it at home!
I am sure that you will love it.
The extra diced fresh celery and the baked bread croutons give this celery soup recipe an extra crunch and texture kick.
The perfect match for it: a thick slice of sourdough bread spread with cream cheese and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper…
Gorgeous.
Enjoy!
Homemade Celery Soup Recipe
I needed a celery stalk to make fresh chicken stock. I made this celery soup recipe a couple of hours later! It's light and filling: a perfect lunch soup!
- 10 medium stalks fresh celery
- 1 medium onion
- 4 medium garlic cloves
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock (960 ml), warm
- 1 cup cream (240 ml)
- 4 slices bread
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- pepper
- salt
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1) Separate the celery stalks and rinse them. Slice up the 4 softest celery stalks in the middle finely and put them aside until needed later on.
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2) Then chop up the remaining tougher stalks and greener celery leaves. Peel and chop the onion and garlic. Add the butter to a high pan and place it over medium-high heat until the butter has melted. Then add the chopped onion and garlic.
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3) Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until the onion is transparent. Then add the chopped celery and leaves. Add the bay leaves as well. Season with a good pinch of pepper and salt.
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4) Stir well and cook for 3 more minutes. Now pour in the warm stock.
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5) Bring the soup to a good boil and then turn the heat back down to medium. Cook the celery for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and blend or mix the celery soup after that.
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6) Pour the soup through a sieve or colander until fully drained. You should end up with a greenish pulp. Discard that.
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7) Bring the strained soup back to a light simmer and pour in the heavy cream. Also add the softer sliced celery stalks you kept aside in the beginning.
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8) Stir and cover the pan. Simmer for another 4 minutes. In the meantime dice up the old bread and transfer it to a non-stick pan. Don’t add any oil or butter. Roast the bread until crunchy and a little browned.
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9) Take the celery soup off the heat and divide it over deep bowls. Sprinkle with the bread croutons. Serve hot.
Is fresh celery healthy?
Yes, it is healthy.
It is low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as antioxidants. Eating raw celery can help reduce inflammation and may also help promote digestive health.
Why do people hate the taste of celery?
Some people may hate the taste of celery because of its strong flavor or texture.
It has a slightly bitter taste, and its crunchy texture may not appeal to everyone. People may also dislike the taste of celery because it has a high water content, which can make it taste watery or bland.
Where is celery originally from?
Celery is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region.
It has been cultivated for thousands of years and is now grown in many countries around the world.
What to serve raw celery with?
Raw celery can be served as an appetizer with a variety of dips such as hummus, peanut butter, cream cheese, guacamole, salsa or tzatziki.
Chicken wings are often served with raw celery and carrots as a healthier, low–calorie alternative to chips or fries.
It can also be served with nuts, seeds and olives on a lovely cheeseboard.
Why is fresh celery a cheap vegetable?
Fresh celery is usually cheap because it is widely available and easy to grow.
It’s a very versatile vegetable and can be used in a variety of recipes such as my celery soup recipe.
Celery is a low–calorie food source, making it a popular choice among health–conscious people.
Truly delicious soup. I made this soup for lunch and it was wonderful. I have made three of your soup recipes now, and have loved them all. Delicious ‘Peasant food’ at its best. Thank you for these recipes and the memory it gave me of my grandmothers cooking 🙂