Curried Pear Soup

A flavorful soup garnished with a dollop of yogurt topping is perfect to serve for a light lunch or as an elegant first course.

Recipe Ingredients:

Soup:
1/3 cup unsalted butter
6 cups diced peeled pears
2 cups onions, chopped
2 cups leeks, sliced (white and light green parts only)
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons curry powder
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 teaspoon salt

Yogurt Topping:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon liquid honey
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup plain yogurt
Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. For Curried Pear Soup: In a large saucepan melt butter and add pears, onions, leeks and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
2. Add flour and curry powder and sauté until the pears become soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Next stir in chicken stock and dry white wine.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer until the soup is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
5. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup, it will take about 2 to 3 minutes. You can use a blender by adding small batches at a time or a food processor.
6. For the Yogurt Topping: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat add sliced scallions and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes.
7. Add honey and sesame oil and cook for about a minute.
8. Remove from the heat and stir in plain yogurt.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired with salt and pepper.
10. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the garnish.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe provided courtesy of HolidayKitchen.tv. Photograph property of CooksRecipes.com.