Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1 large stalk celery, thinly sliced
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2/3 cup ground almonds
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds

Method

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and celery; cook and stir until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer. Stir in almond butter until dissolved and season with mace. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the celery is tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Once the celery is tender, turn off heat, and allow the soup to stand covered for 1 hour.
  • Carefully puree the warm soup until smooth using a blender or immersion blender; pour through a sieve into a clean saucepan. Stir in cream and place over medium-low heat. Heat until hot, being careful not to bring to a boil or else the cream will curdle. Season with salt to taste; serve garnished with toasted slivered almonds.