ROASTED FENNEL SOUP

ROASTED FENNEL SOUP image

Yield 4 bowls

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 Large bulb fennel, quartered
2 TB canola oil
Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste.
1 leek, white only, sliced
1 Cup russet potatoes, peeled and cubed.
2 Cups chicken stock
2 TB dry sherry
1/2 Cup half and half
1/2 Cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped.
1/4 Cup Stilton cheese, crumbled.
1 Lemon, zest only, finely chopped.
1 TB fresh chives or fennel leaves, minced

Steps:

1) Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss fennel with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. roast fennel on a baking sheet until tender and golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. 2) While fennel is roasting, heat remaining oil in a heavy, medium sized pot over medium-low flame. Add leeks, stirring to coat leeks with oil. Cover pot and cook the leeks for about 5 minutes, until they are translucent. Add potatoes and stock. Bring to a boil. Redsuce heat and simmer until the potatoes are fully cooked, about 20 minutes. Puree mixture with a hand blender or in a food processor until smooth. 3) Allow fennel to cool. when easy to handle slice into smaal strips, about 1/2 inch. Add to potato mixture, along with sherry mixture and the half and half to reach the desired texture of the soup. Return to simmer, and stir in walnuts. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss Stilton cheese with lemon zest. 4) To serve, ladle soup into warm bowls. Top with a tablespoon of Stilton mixture. Sprinkle with minced chives or fennel and walnuts