I knew from the beginning what I wanted to do with this week’s Brussels Sprouts. I wanted to make a pureed soup that would taste decadently rich without being heavy. I wanted it to be thick and creamy without using cream.

At first I thought I might somehow include chestnuts in the recipe, which is why they're in this picture. But, then as I imagined how it would taste, I realized they would not add to the bright flavors I was trying to capture. So disregard them.

Ingredients: (for 4 servings)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts (2 cups or so)
1 – large sweet (not tart) apple, peeled and diced
2 stalks - celery, peeled and diced
2 – shallots, diced
1 - clove garlic, minced
3 teas. - unsalted BUTTER
2 teas - fruity olive oil
1-2 cups - chicken broth (use vegetable broth if you prefer)
4 slices - mild aged provolone CHEESE
salt & pepper to taste
8 strips - extra crispy BACON

In a sauté pan, melt butter and add olive oil over medium heat. Add celery & shallots, cooking until very tender. Add garlic and cook long enough to mellow the flavor, but not burn.
Add diced apple and continue cooking until they begin to break down and get mushy.

Transfer mixture to a 2 quart sauce pan. Chop the roasted Brussels sprouts and add to pan. Place over low heat.

Pour about 1/2 cup of broth into pan and begin blending with a stick blender. Continue to add broth 1/2 cup at a time until your soup is the thickness you desire. (I like mine very thick.) Once you've added the desired amount of broth, taste for salt and add as needed. Heat through, but don't boil.

Line individual soup bowls with one slice cheese each and ladle hot soup on top.

Garnish with two bacon strips for each bowl and a generous grinding of pepper.

Roasting the Brussels sprouts takes away any hint of bitterness. The cheese slice adds just the right amount of creamy texture as your spoon digs out bits of it with each bite. The salty bacon balances the sweetness of the apple and celery. A chunk of rustic whole grain bread alongside is all you need to complete the meal. The is definitely a home run.