Ingredients

  • Soup
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 celery ribs, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 leeks, halved lengthwise and chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 tart apples, peeled and chopped (about 2 pounds)
  • 3 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped (about 1 3/4 pounds)
  • 1 large celery root, peeled and chopped (about 3/4 pound)
  • 1 1/2 quarts vegetable broth
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons pepper
  • 1/2 cup milk or 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • Apple rings (use 1 per serving for garnish)
  • 1 apple, very thinly sliced
  • 1 -2 tablespoon sugar
  • salt (optional)
  • Garnish
  • 6 -8 6 -8 slices imitation bacon or 6 -8 slices crispy pancetta
  • fresh chives, chopped

Method

  • Saute onion in hot oil over medium-low heat in a soup pot or Dutch oven 10 minutes or until soft and translucent. Add celery and leek and saute 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 2 minutes.
  • Stir in apples and next 8 ingredients (through pepper). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 and thinly slice apple for apple rings using a mandoline if possible. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray, and place apple slices in a single layer on sheet. Sprinkle with sugar and bake about 15 minutes. Sprinkle evenly with salt, if desired.
  • Remove soup from heat and let cool slightly. Process with an immersion blender, or place soup in a food processor or blender and process in batches until smooth. Return to pot.
  • Stir in milk or half-and-half and next 2 ingredients; cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. Top with oven-baked apple slices, bacon (vegetarian or regular or crispy pancetta) and chives.