Low-Calorie • Vegetarian

Active 1 hr

Total 1½ hrs

Celeriac & Apple Soup with Blue Cheese Toasts

Roasting celeriac and apples before pureeing them into the soup intensifies their flavor. The blue cheese toasts add a little something special, but you could garnish with toasted pecans instead.

• Soup
• 2 pounds celeriac (celery root)
• 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• ¾ teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 medium russet potato (about 8 ounces), peeled and chopped
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• Toasts
• 8 slices baguette (¼-inch), preferably whole-wheat
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved
• 8 teaspoons crumbled Gorgonzola or other mild blue cheese

1. To prepare soup: Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 450°F.

2. Cut one end off celeriac to create a flat surface to keep it steady, then cut off the skin, following the contour of the root. (Or use a vegetable peeler and peel around the root at least three times to ensure all the fibrous skin has been removed.) Cut into ½-inch pieces. Cut apples into 1-inch wedges. Toss the celeriac and apples in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons oil and ¼ teaspoon salt until well coated. Spread out on a baking sheet. Roast, stirring once or twice, until lightly browned and tender, 35 to 40 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and thyme; cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add potato, broth, water, nutmeg, pepper and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until the vegetables smash easily when pressed against the side of the pot, 35 to 40 minutes. Add the celeriac mixture to the pot. Puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. (Or transfer the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.)

4. To prepare toasts: About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, preheat oven to 400°F.

5. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Rub them with garlic, then top with cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, 5 to 7 minutes.

6. Serve the soup topped with a cheese toast.

►► MAKE AHEAD: Prepare soup (Steps 1–3) and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat over medium-low and prepare cheese toasts 15 minutes before serving.

Serves 8: about 1 cup soup & 1 cheese toast each

Calories 174 | Fat 7g (sat 1g) | Cholesterol 2mg | Carbs 26g | Total sugars 8g (added 0g) | Protein 3g | Fiber 4g | Sodium 446mg | Potassium 487mg.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (32% daily value).