Chestnut Soup
Once the Preserve of England's Stately Homes...

But England's great stately homes used to have a different way of using the chestnut harvest that is so tasty, it really should not be forgotten.

Chestnut soup with its delicate taste and smooth, velvety texture makes a great starter to any meal.

And it's neither difficult nor extremely time-consuming to prepare. So next time you're looking at a net of chestnuts at your local supermarket, pick up a pound or two!

You can use pre-cooked and vacuum-packed chestnuts for an even faster soup (in the UK, Merchant Gourmet have the best ones), or you could even use a tin of chestnut puree. Just make sure it's unsweetened!

Ingredients

This recipe will feed four people as a starter, but the quantities are easily increased. Water makes a very delicate soup, while game stock will give your soup a richer flavour.

• chestnuts
• 1lb / 450g fresh OR
• 8oz / 225g ready cooked OR
• 1 tin of pureed chestnuts
• 1oz / 25g butter
• 8oz / 225g onions, peeled and finely chopped
• 8oz / 225g potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 sticks celery, de-stringed and finely chopped
• 1.5 pints / 900ml water or game stock
• 1 clove
• salt and pepper
• a sprig of fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon of dried

Preparation

If you're using fresh chestnuts, prepare these first.

Bring a pan of water to the boil. Cut a cross into the base of each chestnut and drop them into the boiling water. Steep for about a minute, then drain and peel off the shells.

Now melt the butter in a large pan and add the chopped onion, celery and potatoes. Turn to coat in the butter, then add the chestnuts. (If you're using chestnut puree, don't add this just yet!)

Add the clove, pour over the stock or water and season with salt and pepper.

Cover and bring to the boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer until the chestnuts are soft. This will take about 20 minutes.(If you are using chestnut puree, check the soup after 10 minutes. If the potatoes are soft, add the chestnut puree to the soup, stir and simmer for 5 minutes).

Now take the soup of the heat. Fish out the clove if you can find it. Puree the soup in a blender or liquidiser until perfectly smooth.

Check the seasoning. Sprinkle over the thyme and serve with croutons.

A Little Help?

I'm slowly becoming a purist when it comes to soup bowls, and this Soup and Sandwich combo caught my eye in the latest Lakeland catalogue. Beautiful white china will show off your chestnut soup to perfection and there's space to put the sandwiches. This is a great idea for serving lunch... and not just when you're having friends round. Just treat yourself

Don't have time to make soup but don't want to buy ready-made?

You could always cheat and use this Cuisinart Soup Maker to make your chestnut soup.

This does the lot, from browning your veg, to cooking and blending the soup. No mess, no fuss, and only one pot to wash ...

Perhaps not the most traditional of ways to make soup, but wonderfully suited to today's busy lifestyles. If you like real home-made soup, check this out...