Pear, Celeriac and Stilton Soup

From The Vegetarian Society http://www.vegsoc.org/news/1998/celsoup.html Posted here for safe keeping Celeriac always seems to be the poor relation of the root vegetables as people tend to look at its knobbly exterior and shy away from experimenting with it. This is a pity as it has a slightly sweet celery flavour and purées to a beautifully smooth texture. If you cannot obtain celeriac, then try using a squash instead.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs pears, peeled and cored
• 2  tablespoons  sunflower oil
• 1  onion, chopped
• 1  lb celeriac, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2  pints  vegetable stock
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 6 -8  ounces vegetarian Stilton cheese, crumbled (optional & omit for vegans*)
• 1  ounce  single cream or 1  ounce  soya cream
•  chopped chives, to garnish

Directions

1. Cut the pears into slices and poach them in 300ml/1/2 pint water until they are tender. Blend the pears and water together and reserve.
2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and gently fry the onion until transluscent.
3. Add the celeriac and cook, covered, for 10-15 minutes, or until tender.
4. Add the vegetable stock and blended pears, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Liquidise the soup in a blender and return to a clean pan. Re-heat gently, season to taste and stir in the crumbled Stilton,* if using.
6. Serve immediately with a swirl of dairy or soya* cream and a sprinkling of chopped chives.