Celery Bisque With Stilton Toasts Recipes

CELERY BISQUE WITH STILTON TOASTS

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add celery and leeks. Sauté until celery is slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add potatoes and 4 cups broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, until all vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return to same pot. Whisk in 1/3 cup crème fraîche and cayenne pepper. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before serving, adding more broth to thin if desired.).
• Ladle soup into bowls. Swirl 1 to 2 teaspoons additional crème fraîche into each. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Serve with Stilton Toasts.
• To make toasts: Using back of fork, mash cheese and crème fraîche in small bowl to blend.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Arrange baguette slices on rimmed baking sheet. Brush both sides with oil. Bake until just crisp, turning once, about 10 minutes. Spread cheese mixture on toasts. Bake until cheese mixture melts, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle toasts with parsley.

STILTON TOASTS

Steps:

• Using back of fork, mash cheese and crème fraîche in small bowl to blend.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange baguette slices on rimmed baking sheet. Brush both sides with oil. Bake until just crisp, turning once, about 10 minutes. Spread cheese mixture on toasts. Bake until cheese mixture melts, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle toasts with parsley.

CELERY BISQUE WITH STILTON TOASTS

Steps:

• Soup 1. Heat butter in large, deep-sided pot with lid over medium, high heat. When hot, add leeks and celery and sauté, stirring for 4 minutes. Add potatoes and broth. Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, at a simmer until all vegetables are tender (20-25 minutes). 2. Puree' the soup in batches and return to pot, or use immersion blender. Stire in 2/3 c. creme fraiche. Taste soup and season with 2 t. salt and the cayenne pepper. 3. To server, ladle soup into bowls and garnish with parsley, a dollop of creme fraiche and stilton toast. Stilton Toasts 1. Arrange toasts on a cookie sheet and lightly coat both sides of sliced french bread with olive oil. Bake at 350 degrees until just brown on each side. 2. Use fork to mix together the crumbled Stilton and creme fraiche. Top each toast with a little dollop of the mixture and spread. Put back in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with parsley.