Pear and Stilton Soup

Indulge your taste buds in the rich and fragrant delight of this characterful Pear and Stilton Soup. This unique concoction combines the subtle sweetness of ripe pears with the bold and creamy flavor of Stilton cheese. Whether you’re looking for an appetizer to impress your guests or a comforting meal for a cozy evening in, this soup is the perfect choice. Feel free to adjust the quantities of pear and Stilton to suit your palate, and let’s dive into the recipe.

SERVES 4
PREP 10 MIN
COOK 20 MIN
FREEZE UP TO 3 MONTHS
AT THE END OF STEP 1

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 ripe pears, cored and chopped
• 3¼ cups (750ml) chicken stock
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4½ oz (125g) Stilton cheese, crumbled
• Juice of ½–1 lemon, to taste
• Fresh chives, chopped, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large pan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent and fragrant. Be careful not to brown the onions as we want to preserve the delicate flavors.
2. Add the chopped pears to the pan with the onions. Pour in the chicken stock, and season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until the pears become incredibly tender. This should take approximately 15-20 minutes.
3. Once the pears are tender, it’s time to transform the mixture into a smooth and velvety soup. You can do this in one of two ways: Pass the mixture through the fine blade of a food mill for a classic, rustic texture. Alternatively, use a blender to process the mixture until it becomes perfectly smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids – allow them to cool slightly first and blend in batches if necessary.
4. If you’re planning to serve the soup later, now is the perfect time to cool it down. Once cooled, you can store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to continue.
5. When you’re ready to serve, return the smooth soup to the pan and gently reheat it over low to medium heat. Be careful not to bring it to a boil.
6. As the soup warms up, add the crumbled Stilton cheese. Stir it into the soup until it melts completely, infusing the dish with its creamy, tangy goodness.
7.  To balance the flavors and give the soup a zesty kick, add the juice of half to one lemon, adjusting the amount to your taste preferences. Lemon juice adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the Stilton and pears.
8. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper if needed. Remember that the Stilton cheese is naturally salty, so you may not need much additional salt.
9. Finally, it’s time to serve your Pear and Stilton Soup. Ladle it into small portions to savor the rich flavors without overwhelming your palate. Garnish each serving with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped chives for a touch of freshness and color.

Enjoy your homemade Pear and Stilton Soup as an appetizer or a comforting meal. The balance of sweet pears and creamy Stilton cheese will tantalize your taste buds, making this soup a delightful culinary experience.