Pear, Celeriac and Stilton Soup

• 1 12 lbs pears, peeled and cored
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 lb celeriac, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 pints vegetable stock
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 6 -8 ounces vegetarian Stilton cheese, crumbled (optional & omit for vegans*)
• 1 ounce single cream or 1 ounce soya cream
• chopped chives, to garnish

1. Cut the pears into slices and poach them in 300ml/1/2 pint water until they are tender.
2. Blend the pears and water together and reserve.
3. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and gently fry the onion until transluscent.
4. Add the celeriac and cook, covered, for 10-15 minutes, or until tender.
5. Add the vegetable stock and blended pears, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Liquidise the soup in a blender and return to a clean pan.
7. Re-heat gently, season to taste and stir in the crumbled Stilton,* if using.
8. Serve immediately with a swirl of dairy or soya* cream and a sprinkling of chopped chives.

sunflower oil, onion, celeriac, vegetable stock, salt, vegetarian, cream, chives

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/pear-celeriac-and-stilton-soup-403935 (may not work)