How To make Elegant Chestnut Soup

3 c Chestnuts, roasted & peeled
1 tb Oil
1/2 c Onion, finely chopped
1/4 c Celery, chopped
2 1/4 c Water
3/4 c Apple juice
1 ts Tamari
1 Vegetable bouillon cube

OPTIONAL:

1 ds Nutmeg
* To roast chestnuts: Choose fresh, firm, unwrinkled chestnuts with no signs of mold. On the flat side of each chestnut make 2 cuts with a small, sharp knife, from one end to the other in the shape of an X. Place the chestnuts, cut side up, on a low baking sheet with a thin layer of water on the bottom. Bake the chestnuts for 20-25 minutes at 350F until browned and the cuts peel back naturally from the heat. Test one chestnut to be sure its "meat" is tender. When tender, remove from oven, cool only slightly, peel and enjoy or use in recipes. Some people like to boil the cut chestnuts for easier peeling. This is okay, though some nutrients and flavour will be lost. Prepare chestnuts. Peel off the outer shell and the fuzzy skin before using the inner chestnut meat. Heat the oil until hot and saute the onion until semi-tender. Add the celery and saute until both are very tender. Blend the water and apple juice with the chestnuts and all the remaining ingredients*. Simmer everything on low to medium heat (do NOT boil!) for about 15-20 minutes or until hot throughout and the flavours mingle. Enjoy this rich and tantalizing soup with extra chopped or ground nuts as a garnish. Keeps 4-6 days refrigerated. *Two vegetable bouillon cubes may be used instead of the tamari or miso. Also, 1/2 cup applesauce and 2 1/2 cups water can be used instead of the juice and 2 1/4 cups water. *Anne's note: I would assume by reading this, she means blend these ingredients in a blender and return to the pot. Jeanne Marie Martin, "Vegan Delights" posted by Anne MacLellan