Homemade Cream of Celery Soup is the perfect alternative to canned soup. In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll walk you through the steps to creating a soup so delicious that you will never want to reach for a can again. This soup comes together in under an hour, making it ideal for meal prep.
Whether you're using it as a base for your casseroles or enjoying a hearty bowl on its own, this Cream of Celery Soup promises to deliver comfort, flavor, and maybe even a little surprise at how delightful celery can truly be.
So, let's dive into the world of making this unsung hero the star of our meal!
Ingredients
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Butter: The base of many great recipes starts with a good fat, and this soup is no exception. Extra virgin olive oil gives a hint of fruitiness, while butter adds a rich, creamy note. Depending on your preference or dietary needs, either works perfectly.
- All-Purpose Flour: This acts as our thickening agent, giving the soup its velvety texture. If you're gluten-free, a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend will work just as well without compromising the consistency.
- Milk: Almond milk keeps things light and is great for those avoiding dairy. However, any milk you have on hand, whether it's cow's milk, soy, or oat, can be used to achieve that creamy goodness.
- Vegetable Broth: This is the liquid gold that brings everything together, adding depth and flavor. Feel free to swap it with chicken broth if you're not vegetarian.
- Finely Chopped Celery: The star of the show! Celery brings a fresh, slightly bitter taste that balances the creaminess of the soup.
- Parmesan Cheese: To keep this vegetarian, use rennet-free parmesan. For a dairy-free version, nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan are excellent alternatives that still pack a flavorful punch.
- Onion Powder: In a pinch, a small amount of finely minced fresh onion or a dash of garlic powder can also do the trick.
- Smoked Paprika: If you don't have smoked paprika, try a pinch of cayenne for heat or regular paprika for color, though the smoky flavor will be less pronounced.
- Sea Salt: Always adjust to your taste, and remember, it's easier to add more than to fix a soup that's too salty.
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper is preferred for its vibrant flavor, but pre-ground works in a pinch.
Step by Step
Tips and Tricks
- Flour Power: When adding the flour to create your roux (the thickening base), ensure it's cooked long enough to lose that raw flour taste, but not so long that it darkens too much. Aim for a light golden hue.
- Smooth Operator: For that luxuriously smooth texture, consider using an immersion blender once the soup is cooked. It's like waving a magic wand and transforming your soup into a creamy delight. If you're using a standard blender, be sure to blend in batches and take care not to overfill.
- Cheese, Please: While Parmesan adds a wonderful savory note, don't hesitate to try other cheeses. Aged cheddar for a bit of sharpness or Gruyère for a nutty complexity can really make your soup sing.
- Spice It Up: The smoked paprika adds a hint of smokiness, but why stop there? A dash of nutmeg can introduce a warm, nutty aroma, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper can give it a kick that wakes up the palate.
- Freeze for Ease: This soup freezes beautifully, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal. Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for an easy weeknight dinner.
Cream of Celery Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
- ¼ cup all purpose flour or flour of choice
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ¼ cup finely chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in flour and whisk. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture bubbles and begins to brown. Whisk in almond milk and vegetable broth. Cook, whisking frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes or until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Stir in the celery, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, smoked paprika and sea salt. Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool to use in a recipe or freeze in 2 cup portions for later use.
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