Mary Berry Celery Soup Recipe

This elegant Mary Berry Celery Soup Recipe transforms the humble, fibrous vegetable into a silky, sophisticated starter. By simmering celery hearts and creamy potatoes in rich chicken stock and finishing with a crumble of Stilton cheese, it offers a delicate balance of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors perfect for a light lunch.

Mary Berry Celery Soup Ingredients

The Soup Base:

• 1 head Celery: Washed well and chopped. Remove any tough, stringy outer stalks; use the paler inner hearts for the sweetest flavor.
• 1 Onion: Chopped.
• 225g (8 oz) Potatoes: Peeled and diced. This acts as a natural thickener, giving the soup body without flour.
• 50g (2 oz) Butter: For sweating the vegetables.
• 900ml (1 ½ pints) Chicken Stock: Or vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.

The Finish:

• 150ml (5 fl oz) Milk: Adds creaminess.
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste.
• Stilton Cheese: Optional but recommended; a small crumble on top elevates the celery flavor.
• Fresh Cream: For a swirl before serving.

How To Make Mary Berry Celery Soup

1. Sweat the Veg: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the chopped celery, onion, and potato cubes. Stir to coat in the butter. Cover the pan with a lid and let the vegetables sweat gently for 15 minutes. Crucial Step: Do not let them brown; you want them to soften and release their juices while staying pale.
2. Simmer: Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover the pan, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the celery and potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a knife.
3. Blend: Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor. Blitz until completely smooth.
4. Strain (Optional): For an ultra-refined, velvety texture (classic Mary Berry style), pass the blended soup through a fine sieve to catch any remaining celery fibers. If you prefer a rustic soup, you can skip this.
5. Finish: Return the puree to the clean saucepan. Stir in the milk and reheat gently until hot but not boiling. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve: Ladle into warmed bowls. Garnish with a swirl of fresh cream, a scattering of celery leaves, and a crumble of Stilton cheese if desired.

Recipe Tips

• String Removal: Even though you are blending it, using a vegetable peeler to remove the toughest strings from the outer celery stalks before chopping results in a smoother final texture.
• Potato Choice: Use a floury potato (like Maris Piper or King Edward) as they break down easier and thicken the soup better than waxy varieties.
• Sweating Time: Don’t rush the initial 15-minute sweat. This draws out the sweetness of the onion and celery, preventing the soup from tasting grassy or watery.
• Garnish: Reserve the pale yellow leaves from the center of the celery head; they make a beautiful and edible garnish.

What To Serve With Celery Soup

• Walnut Bread: The nuttiness of walnuts pairs exceptionally well with celery and Stilton.
• Cheese Toastie: A grilled cheese sandwich makes this a hearty meal.
• Crispy Bacon: Salty bacon bits sprinkled on top add texture.
• Apple Slices: Thin slices of crisp apple provide a tart contrast.

How To Store Celery Soup

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The soup may thicken; thin with water or milk when reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stove. Do not boil vigorously once the milk is added.
• Freeze: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Mary Berry Celery Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 190 kcal
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Cauliflower Soup Recipe
• Mary Berry Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup Recipe
• Mary Berry Chicken And Vegetable Soup Recipe

Mary Berry Celery Soup Recipe

Author: Chloe Saidani Cooking Method:Stovetop Cuisine:British Courses:Soups

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 35 minutesRest time: minutesTotal time: 50 minutesCooking Temp:100 CServings:4 servingsEstimated Cost:25 $Calories:190 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

A smooth, creamy soup blending tender celery and potatoes, finished with a touch of milk and optional blue cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 head celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 225g potatoes, cubed
• 50g butter
• 900ml chicken stock
• 150ml milk
• Stilton (optional)

Instructions

1. Sweat celery, onion, and potato in butter (15 mins).
2. Add stock; simmer 20 mins until tender.
3. Blend until smooth (sieve for extra refinement).
4. Stir in milk; reheat gently.
5. Season well.
6. Serve with cream swirl and Stilton.

Notes

• Use inner celery stalks for best flavor.
• Potato adds creamy thickness naturally.
• Sieving removes fibrous strings.
• Perfect for freezing in batches.

Keywords:Mary Berry Celery Soup Recipe