Warm Spiced Pear and Chestnut Soup with Crispy Sage Croutons

Ingredients

• •4 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
• •1 cup cooked chestnuts, chopped
• •1 medium onion, finely chopped
• •2 cloves garlic, minced
• •2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• •1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• •1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• •4 cups vegetable stock
• •1/4 cup heavy cream
• •Salt, to taste
• •Black pepper, to taste
• •4 slices of crusty bread, cut into cubes
• •2 tablespoons olive oil
• •10 fresh sage leaves
• •1 tablespoon honey (optional, for sweetness)

Instructions

1. 1

   Step 1: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

2. 2

   Step 2: Add the chopped pears and chestnuts to the pot, then sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Stir well to coat the ingredients with the spices, cooking for 2 minutes to release their aroma.

3. 3

   Step 3: Pour in the vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the pears and chestnuts are soft and easily pierced with a fork.

4. 4

   Step 4: While the soup is simmering, prepare the crispy sage croutons. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until crispy, then remove and set aside on a paper towel.

5. 5

   Step 5: Using the same skillet, add the cubed bread to the remaining oil and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the bread is golden brown and crispy. Set aside the croutons to cool slightly.

6. 6

   Step 6: Once the soup is done simmering, use an immersion blender or transfer in batches to a countertop blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and black pepper to taste. If desired, add a tablespoon of honey for additional sweetness.

7. 7

   Step 7: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the crispy sage croutons. Serve warm and enjoy your cozy, spiced creation!