Chestnuts: Chestnut Soup
This is archetypal winter food – thick and warming. It’s filling enough for a simple mid-week lunch and delicious enough for a dinner party, especially with the optional booze.
Serves 6 25g unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 stick of celery, chopped, or 2 bay leaves 500g chestnuts, peeled
I litre of hot chicken stock
220ml crème fraiche
freshly grated nutmeg
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
dry sherry or madeira (optional) Melt the butter in a heavy-based