This recipe is very forgiving; you can vary the stock base, the proportions of the vegetables or the herbs you use, whether or not to include chestnuts or cream.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 large onion
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp butter
- 4 tbsp sherry (subst wine if no sherry available)
- 250g brussels sprouts
- 500ml stock (increase if you are not using chestnuts)
- pinch of dried tarragon
- 200g chestnut puree
- salt and pepper
- 4 tbsp single cream
METHOD:
- Chop the onion, and fry gently in the butter and vegetable oil, for around 5 minutes, so that it starts to soften without browning.
- Add the sherry, bring to the boil and when the alcohol has boiled off, add the sprouts, stock, tarragon and pureed chestnuts, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for around 15 minutes.
- Use a soup blender and whiz until smooth. Season and add the cream, if using.