Celeriac Soup

Wondering what to make with celeriac? Make Celeriac Soup! Beautifully creamy with an elegant, near pure-white colour, it also happens to be low-carb. It’s perfect as a something-different first course for a dinner party or a cosy midweek dinner. It’s so versatile!

• 60g / 4 tbsp butter , unsalted
• 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
• 1 onion , diced (brown or yellow)
• 1/2 leek (white part only) , diced into 1cm / ½" cubes (~ 3/4 cup)
• 3 celery stems , diced into 1cm / ½" cubes (~1 1/2 cups)
• 800g / 1.6 lb (peeled weight) celeriac , cut into 2cm / ⅘" cubes (~1kg / 2lb unpeeled)
• 200g / 7oz potato , peeled, cut into 2cm / 4/5" cubes (floury or all-rounder – about 1 large)
• 1.5 litres / quarts (6 cups) water , or stock if you prefer
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 cup cream , full fat (pure, thickened or heavy)

• 1 bay leaf , fresh
• 2 thyme sprigs
• 1/2 tsp black peppercorn (go without if no sachet)
• 1/2 tsp coriander seeds (1/8 tsp powder if no sachet)

• Croutons
• Olive oil , for drizzling
• 1 tbsp chives , finely chopped (sub parsley or chervil)