Chestnut Soup with Apple Brandy

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I love the velvety texture of this wonderful Chestnut Soup with Apple Brandy. I remember the old days, when you had to peel fresh chestnuts. My hands took days to recover. Now, you can buy pre-peeled chestnuts in a package or a jar. It’s a real game changer.

This Chestnut Soup with Apple Brandy has it all. It’s smooth on your tongue, with the warming flavor of Apple Brandy and small bits of chestnuts in every bite. Sprinkling the top with Spiced Pecans (make your own or buy them) makes it extra special. Enjoy!

Chestnut Soup with Apple Brandy

By Gloria Kobrin Published: February 7, 2016

  • Yield:

  • 10 cups (10 Servings)

Ingredients

  • 3 large leeks-white and pale green parts sliced and washed
  • 2 large carrots peeled and chopped
  • 1 small Celery Stalk washed and chopped
  • 6 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • 4 cups chestnuts roasted and peeled (packaged is fine)
  • 1 large Idaho potato peeled and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 8 cups Low Salt Vegetable Broth
  • 1/3 cup apple brandy/cognac
  • croutons/spiced pecans optional garnish

Equipment

  • 1 8 quart soup pot with cover
  • 1 electric food processor steel knife inserted

Directions

  1. Pour oil into soup pot and heat over medium flame. Add leeks, carrots and celery. Sauté until the vegetables soften and begin to release their juices. Add chestnuts, potatoes, broth, pepper and nutmeg. Stir well. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover pot and simmer for 60 minutes or until vegetables and chestnuts are very soft when you press against them with a wooden spoon. Remove cover and allow soup to cool before puréeing it.
  2. Pour 2-3 cups of soup into the processor bowl. Purée until the mixture is very smooth. Pour into another pot. Purée the next batch the same way. Purée the last batch using the pulse button so that you have small bits of vegetables and chestnuts remaining. Add to purée. Add apple brandy and stir well. Taste. Add a drop more brandy if desired. Let soup cool before covering and refrigerating it.
  3. When you reheat the soup, you can add more broth if you feel it is too thick. Taste again and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot. Homemade croutons or spiced pecans are a delicious crunchy accompaniment to this soup.