Cream of Curried Peanut Soup

Yield: Makes 6 cups

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons  butter or margarine
• 1  small onion, minced
• 3  celery ribs, minced
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 2  tablespoons  curry powder
• 1/8  to 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 3 1/2  cups  chicken broth
• 1  cup  creamy peanut butter
• 2  cups  half-and-half
• Garnish: chopped peanuts

Preparation

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and celery, and sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in flour, curry powder, and red pepper until smooth; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add broth, and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes.

Stir in peanut butter and half-and-half; cook, stirring constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Cool slightly.

Process mixture, in batches, in a food processor or blender until smooth. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately.