Soups to conquer: Celeriac Soup with Hazelnut & Sage Pesto 

Soups to conquer: Celeriac Soup with Hazelnut & Sage Pesto

This is my favourite during the winter months. You can make it a few days ahead and it freezes well, so double the recipe for a batch for a rainy day. I sometimes add a crumble of crispy pancetta on top, too.

SERVES 6

50g butter

1 celeriac, peeled and chopped

1 celery stick, chopped

1 onion, chopped

75g blanched hazelnuts

1 litre hot vegetable stock (see tip)

100ml crème fraîche

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE HAZELNUT & SAGE PESTO

75g blanched hazelnuts

2 tbsp finely chopped sage

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • Place a heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the celeriac, celery, onion and whole hazelnuts, and season with salt and pepper. Stir well, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with foil or your butter wrapper and pop the lid on. Leave the vegetables to sweat for 15 minutes.
  • Next make the hazelnut and sage pesto. Place a frying pan over a high heat, add the hazelnuts and toast, shaking the pan frequently to toast the nuts evenly, for 3 minutes – this will release all the oils and the flavour.
  • Add the chopped sage to the extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl.
  • Tip the toasted hazelnuts on to one half of a clean tea towel, then fold over the other half of the tea towel to cover and bash the nuts with a rolling pin until crushed.
  • Add the crushed nuts to the olive oil and sage, mix together well and set aside.
  • Add the hot stock to the vegetables and bring to the boil, then leave to cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  • Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor, or use a hand blender, and blend to a smooth consistency.
  • Return the soup to the saucepan (if necessary). Stir in the crème fraîche and place over a medium heat for just 2 minutes to warm through.
  • Serve the soup in warmed bowls with the hazelnut and sage pesto drizzled on top.

TIP To make your own vegetable stock, add a few roughly chopped carrots, onions, leeks, celery and herbs to a large pot of water, bring to the boil and leave to simmer for a couple of hours. Strain, then discard the vegetables and herbs. It freezes well.