recipe 
yields
8-10 servings
2 tablespoons butter
1 slice bacon, cut into thirds
½ cup shallots, roughly chopped
1 small apple, roughly chopped
½ cup celery root, roughly chopped
½ pound button mushrooms (about 2 cups), sliced
4 cups cooked, shelled chestnuts, roughly chopped
¼ cup cognac
¼ cup Armagnac
4 cups chicken stock, plus extra as needed
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh sage
¾ cup heavy cream, to taste
Salt, sugar, and freshly ground pepper to taste
Sour cream, garnish
Fresh sage leaves, garnish
ingredients
steps
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the bacon and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add shallots, apple, celery root, and mushrooms and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Add the chestnuts and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the cognac and Armagnac and cook until reduced by half.
- Add chicken stock, thyme, bay leaf, and sage and cook for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Purée soup in a blender until creamy and smooth. Strain the purée through a fine mesh strainer (chinois) into another saucepan. Return the soup to a burner over low heat and bring to a simmer.
- Add the cream and season with salt, sugar, and pepper.
- Ladle soup into individual bowls and garnish with a tablespoon of sour cream and fresh (or fried) sage leaf. Serve immediately.
Date Published: 12.30.12
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- from Chef/Proprietor Patrick O’Connell of The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, VA
