Roasted Celery Soup

By • March 8, 2012 • 87 Comments


Author Notes: Celery roasted with a little fennel and garlic and then pureed with chicken broth and potatoes makes for a nice starter or light lunch. A touch of half and half or cream with a spritz of lemon finishes it off.inpatskitchen

Food52 Review: WHO: Inpatskitchen is a prolific FOOD52er and -- as a retired teacher, paralegal, and seafood retailer -- a bit of a cook of all trades, too.
WHAT: A simple and elegant twist on cream of celery soup.
HOW: By roasting the celery and fennel, and boiling the potatoes in broth, inpatskitchen builds a lovely foundation of flavors. And of course, cream to finish is always a great idea.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This soup truly elevates humble, plain vegetables that are usually relegated to a garnish plate or side dish to a higher plane of existence. Given proper attention, lo and behold, they shine.
A&M

Makes almost 2 quarts

  • 8 large celery stalks cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 1/2 bulb fresh fennel cut into 2 inch chunks
  • 2 large whole garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 medium redskin potatoes, peeled and cut into a 1 1/2 inch dice
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup light cream or half and half
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper for re seasoning if needed
  • Celery leaves and fennel fronds for a little garnish
  1. Place the cut celery, fennel and cloves of garlic in a 9x13 inch roasting pan. Add the salt, pepper and olive oil and toss to thoroughly coat everything. Roast in a 350F oven for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges of the vegetables just begin to brown.
  2. While the vegetables are cooking, cook the potatoes in the chicken broth until tender..about 10 to 12 minutes. Set the pan aside to cool a bit.
  3. When the vegetables have finished roasting add them to the potatoes and broth. Let everything cool a bit.
  4. In a blender puree the soup in batches. If you have a "liquify" setting on your blender use that. If you like you can strain the soup through a mesh strainer. Once pureed. return the soup to the pot and bring up to the boil. Stir in the cream/half and half and the lemon juice. Re season if needed and garnish each bowl with celery leaves and fennel fronds if you like.
  5. NOTE: For a little more pronounced celery flavor add a pinch or two of celery seed or salt when re seasoning.

Comments (87) Questions (0)

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28 days ago sel et poivre

Hi Pat, I love this soup so much that I'd like to have your permission to feature it on my blog (with credit of course). Pls let me know. Thx :)

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28 days ago inpatskitchen

Oh yes! I'm so honored...please feel free!

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about 1 month ago JLechuga

Amazing! We threw in some chard and asparagus....so yummy!

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about 1 month ago inpatskitchen

So glad you liked this! The chard and asparagus sound wonderful!

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2 months ago michellepennie

made this and it was absolutely delicious thanks for the recipes :-)

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2 months ago inpatskitchen

I'm so pleased you enjoyed this..thanks so much!

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3 months ago lindamettler

Perhaps dill? But not too much. Anise? Possibly just celery!

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3 months ago sel et poivre

This looks fantastic. And I have a whole bunch of celery in need of some loving in my fridge. However, fennel is always hard to get (and oh so expensive) where I live. What do you think would be a good substitute? Thanks

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3 months ago inpatskitchen

Thanks sel et poivre! Maybe 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground fennel seed and more celery? And lindamettler's dill suggestion sounds fabulous!

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2 months ago sel et poivre

Thank you both! I will try it with fennel seed and maybe scatter some dill on top.

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2 months ago inpatskitchen

Let us know how it goes..

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2 months ago sel et poivre

Finally made this for dinner. Like you suggested, I added some fennel seeds before I roasted the celery. And I made a few other changes. I only had 2 smallish potatoes and a couple of sweet potatoes, so I just threw them all in. I also didn't have any cream so I just used milk. A pinch of sugar to round up the flavours and a sprinkle of chilli flakes at the end and guess what? It was so so good! Best soup I've had in ages. Thank you!

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2 months ago inpatskitchen

I'm so glad you enjoyed this and I like your modifications!!

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3 months ago placidplaid

I will although I will leave the fennel out of the first batch just to get the celery essence.

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3 months ago placidplaid

Just found this recipe and I'm looking forward to cooking it up. As a little girl I used to love Campbell's Cream of Celery soup. I wouldn't go for it now but this will be a nice recreation. Can't wait to savor!

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3 months ago inpatskitchen

Thanks so much placidplaid! Please let me know how you like it if you do try!

Susan.streit

3 months ago carbonarasuz

Susan is a recipe tester for Food52.

Absolutely delicious! A clever way to use up celery, as I always seem to have extra!

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3 months ago inpatskitchen

Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed this....I always have extra celery too!

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4 months ago TeraO

I was required by the homeopathic doctor I was working with to eat 2 cups of cooked celery along with my dinner, this soup came to my rescue! SO glad I can just eat a large bowl of this instead of some cooked celery alone. Thank you, delicious!

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4 months ago inpatskitchen

So glad it worked out for you! Thanks so much!

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6 months ago lindamettler

Hard to believe that such a simple recipe would yield the most fabulous soup ever. Made this for a dinner party and it was an enormous success. Many thanks for a recipe I'll make again and again.

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6 months ago inpatskitchen

I'm sooo glad you enjoyed this. Thank YOU!

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about 1 year ago ImprovCuisine

Going on vacation and had some celery to use up. Made this soup and it was DELICIOUS! We had a healthy dinner and now there are leftovers in the freezer for when we get back. I can't wait. Great recipe.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you so much! I'm soo glad you enjoyed it....I could go for some leftover right now myself.

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about 1 year ago Jay Schufman

My wife and I are so glad we found this recipe (and this site). Roasted Celery Soup is truly a gourmet delight! ★★★★★ Thank you so much, Pat! You are a wonder!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you so much Jay! This is an unbelievable site (I found it a little more than a year ago).So many great cooks, so much to learn...And welcome to Food52!

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about 1 year ago arielleclementine

it's 90 degrees in Austin, but we had this for dinner tonight anyway- what a gorgeous soup!! will make again and again!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks so much arielleclementine! 90 degrees? Whew! Not looking forward to those temps.

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2 months ago Ascender

I bet this soup would be equally good served chilled in the summer. Might need a bit more salt served cold.

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2 months ago inpatskitchen

I think you're right....celery vichyssoise? Sounds great! I'll have to try it when the weather warms. Thanks for the idea!

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about 1 year ago TheWimpyVegetarian

This looks just wonderful, Pat!! Very belatedly, many many congrats to you for your win!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you Susan! I was so surprised (but very happy!).

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about 1 year ago savorthis

This does look good. It definitely elevates what seems to be a benign (or in my case, deadly) vegetable. If I had not been sent TWICE to the hospital for allergic reactions to celery, I'd love to try it!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you so much savorthis! So sorry you can't eat celery and so I certainly do understand. I've had a number of allergies myself throughout the course of my life that I've happily and luckily outgrown.

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about 1 year ago lakelurelady

I love this soup. The tip about adding celery seeds is a good one. Congrats on a well deserved win.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks! I really appreciate your kind words.

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about 1 year ago Kitchen Butterfly

Congrats on a great recipe. Very well done

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks so much Kitchen Butterfly

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about 1 year ago Texas Ex

Incredibly delicious! Minimal ingredients, easily and quickly prepared. Really reminded me of a great German asparagus soup.
Thanks for a great recipe!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks so much! I'd love to see your German asparagus soup...spent a summer there as an exchange student years and years ago. And I love asparagus soup! Please post!

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about 1 year ago krusher

Well deserved win. I love and cook celery soup regularly - Simon Hopkinson's recipe. Your roasting of the celery, fennel (which I had never added but love) and garlic is the genius step with magic results. I will be cooking your recipe from now on. Thank you

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank YOU krusher!!

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about 1 year ago SKK

Hi Pat, I am making your soup for the third time for a dinner party. Love how the simplicity of the recipe produces such depth of flavor and such complexity. And it is easy to roast the vegetables the day before. Congratulations - you certainly deserve this award!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Wow! I am so so glad you're enjoying this..Thanks so much!

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about 1 year ago Waverly

Congratulations, Inpatskitchen! Lovely recipe!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

You are too kind...I'm making your salad this weekend.

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about 1 year ago GiGi26

Wonderful!! Congratulations! It's been said before but, the soup IS amazing!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Do you get a chance to make it yet? Thanks Pam!

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about 1 year ago GiGi26

Yes I did, last Saturday. It was a hit with all!


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about 1 year ago fiveandspice

Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.

Congratulations!!!! Such a wonderfully lovely soup! This is just perfect for the transitioning season right now, too.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks fiveandspice!

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about 1 year ago hardlikearmour

hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.

Congratulations, IPK! It's a truly gorgeous recipe.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks HLA! Truly honored to be a part of this community!

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about 1 year ago boulangere

Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

Warm congratulations on the win for your heavenly soup.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks b! Happy and surprised!

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about 1 year ago sdebrango

Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Congratulations Pat on the well deserved win, the soup is amazing.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you so much. Very happy!

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about 1 year ago Dina Zyadeh

Not a huge fan of celery, but decided to make this anyway. It was creamy and delicious! I loved the addition of fresh lemon juice towards the end.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

I'm so glad you enjoyed it..it was a hit at our house too...right down to that not quite 3 year old grandson! (see my comment below) Thanks so much!

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about 1 year ago Midge

Yum! Congrats!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks so much Midge!

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about 1 year ago mrslarkin

Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.

Congrats, Pat. Looks and sounds delicious!!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks mrslarkin!

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about 1 year ago fiveandspice

Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.

Congrats on being a finalist IPK! This looks wonderfully soothing and delicious!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

You are too kind! Thanks very much!

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about 1 year ago aargersi

Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Beautiful soup - congratulations!!!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you aargersi!

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about 1 year ago Waverly

This looks wonderful! So proud to be a finalist with you. Am saving your recipe. Congrats!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks Waverly! I love your mushroom recipes and am so honored to be a finalist with you also!

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about 1 year ago Kitchen Butterfly

Congratulations. We made your orange chicken a few weeks ago - to resounding praise. Well done....

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks so much!! I'm glad the orange chicken was a success..it's a hit around here too!

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about 1 year ago boulangere

Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

This is lovely, Pat, and congratulations of being a finalist.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you b..I really appreciate it!

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about 1 year ago krusher

This looks amazing. I love soups so this one will be tried in the next week. I can just about taste it as I read the recipe. Well done and congratulations.

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about 1 year ago SKK

I love, love, love this recipe. It is so good - made it with chicken broth once and vegetable bouillon another time for vegetarian friends. It is really amazing. Another homerun for you!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Oh thank you SKK! I'm so glad you enjoyed it both ways!

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about 1 year ago Panfusine

COngratulations on the well deserved finalist pick...I could substitute Vegetable broth to make this vegetarian, couldn't I??

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about 1 year ago SKK

Hi PF, I too love this recipe. I substituted vegetable bouillon that I always have on hand and it was great. The recipe for the bouillon comes from 101 cookbooks http://www.101cookbooks...

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Certainly use vegetable broth and SKK's link to a broth sounds amazing!

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about 1 year ago sdebrango

Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Congratulations Pat on the finalist nod! Amazing soup!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thanks so much suzanne! I was out to lunch with friends and just came home to see this...VERY excited!!

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

I must tell you....my daughter and her 3 kids stopped by yesterday and I reheated some of this for her. Her youngest, who is just shy of 3 climbed up on her lap and took over the bowl saying "Yummy!" after each slurp. Yay Alex!

Oldies_joemare_bd

about 1 year ago sdebrango

Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.

This is a beautiful soup, I always enjoyed cream of celery soup and AJ is so right the addition of the fennel is brilliant.

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you so much suzanne...I've really been enjoying fennel a lot lately and this has just a hint of it

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about 1 year ago AntoniaJames

AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

Perfectly lovely. On the must-try list!! ;o)

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about 1 year ago inpatskitchen

Thank you AJ! Please let me know what you think if you try this.

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about 1 year ago AntoniaJames

AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

I'm definitely making it soon! I love creamy soups and this one gets bonus points (lots of them!) for the fennel. What an inviting photo that is, too. Nicely done, my friend. ;o)