Creamy Chinese Celery Soup

Description:

The key to this recipe is in the quality of the chicken stock you use and in the quality of the produce. Aren't you glad you shop at Nino's?

Ingredients for 4 Portions:

1	each	Leek, Medium (White and Pale Parts)
1	each	Idaho Potato, Medium
1/2	cup	Shallots
2	Tbsp.	Butter
1	Tbsp.	Olive Oil
2	bunch	Celery, Chinese
1/2	cup	Dry White Wine
4	cups	Strong Chicken Broth or Stock
1/2	cup	Cream, Heavy
1/2	tsp.	Salt
1/4	tsp.	Black Pepper
-	Garnish	Croutons
-	Garnish	Parsley
Portions:

Preparation

Wash leek well in a bowl of cold water, then lift out and drain well.
Peel and chop potato.
Cook shallot in butter and oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
Add leek and cook, while stirring, for about 5 mintues.
Add celery and potato and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Add wine and boil for 1 minute.
Add broth and simmer, covered, until celery is very tender, for about 1 hour.
Puree soup in batches in a blender until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), then pour through a large medium-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on solids.
Discard the solids.
Transfer soup to a cleaned saucepan, then stir in cream, salt, and pepper and heat over low heat until hot.
Thin with milk if desired.