Chestnut Soup With Pine Nuts And Currants

• 3 pounds fresh chestnuts or 5 cups cooked, peeled chestnuts (fresh, frozen, canned, or vacuum-packed; see notes)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons fennel seed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 7 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth
• 1 cup half-and-half (light cream)
• 1/4 cup dried currants
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• Salt and pepper

1. Cut an X about 1/2 inch long through the flat side of each chestnut shell. Place nuts in a 12- by 17-inch pan.
2. Bake in a 400u0b0 oven until shells begin to split open and nuts are slightly soft (break 1 open to test), 25 to 30 minutes. Hold 1 hot nut at a time in a soft potholder and squeeze to loosen shell. Pull off shell and brown skin; use a small, sharp knife to pull bits of skin from crevices. Discard any moldy or hard, dried nuts.
3. Meanwhile, in a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium-high heat, frequently stir onion, celery, and fennel seed in 1 tablespoon oil until vegetables are limp, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Add broth and chestnuts; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chestnuts mash easily, about 40 minutes.
5. Whirl mixture, a portion at a time, in a blender or food processor until smooth.
6. Return puree to pan and add half-and-half. Stir over medium-high heat until steaming, about 3 minutes (about 8 minutes if chilled).
7. Meanwhile, in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium heat, frequently stir currants and pine nuts in remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil until nuts are golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour into a small bowl.
8. Ladle soup into bowls and top equally with currant-pine nut mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

fresh chestnuts, onion, celery, fennel seed, olive oil, chicken broth, light cream, currants, pine nuts, salt

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chestnut-soup-with-pine-nuts-currants (may not work)