A Healthy Apple and Celery Soup

No need for cream in this soup. Some fresh seasoning from sage, and the sweetness of the apples make this an amazing easy quick soup. One of the things I like best about this soup, is that it has a very clean fresh flavor. This to me, makes an amazing starter for a dinner party, soup for lunch or served with sandwiches or salad for a great light dinner. And the best part ... this is just as good served chilled, as it is hot. I love to serve this with my Sweet Savory Bread Sticks.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 4-6 Bowls of soup

Ingredients

• 8  large apples, peeled and rough chopped (I used McIntosh, you can use whatever, you just don't want a tart apple)
• 2  cups celery, rough chopped
• 4  cups chicken broth
• 4  tablespoons butter
• 1  medium onion, rough chopped
• 1  tablespoon fresh sage, very fine chopped
• 1  pinch clove
•  ground black pepper

• Brandied Mascarpone

• 1 1⁄2 cups mascarpone
• 2  ounces brandy

Directions

1. Base -- In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the celery, onion and cook 3-4 minutes. Add in the apples and broth and cook until tender. It will take about 20 minutes on a medium low simmer, uncovered.
2. Puree -- I used my immersion blender, but you can you can transfer it to a standard blender and puree until smooth.
3. Season -- Add in the the sage, and a very small pinch of cloves, go easy ad season with black pepper. Cook another 10 minutes.
4. Mascarpone -- Mix the mascarpone with the brandy, and return to the refrigerator. I mixed mine right in the container, save on those dirty dishes.
5. Serve -- I like to serve with a fresh small sprig of sage and a dollop of the Brandied Mascarpone cheese. You can serve this hot, which I prefer, or chilled is also very good. And don't forget my Sweet Savory Bread Sticks.