Creamy Celery Soup

This year was the first for planting celery in the garden. Apparently it liked the weather we had this year! I was not sure what to do with all of it. We have dehydrated it to use in soups, dressings, and the like this winter.

Today I made a delicious soup with it.

Soup:
3 T olive oil or butter
4 c diced celery with the leaves
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t basil
8 c chicken broth (your soup will only be as good as your broth is so make your own!)

Use a large pot and saute celery, onion, and garlic in the oil or butter. Add basil and broth; simmer for 15 minutes. In the meantime make the sauce.

Sauce:
4 T olive oil or butter
4 T flour
2 c milk
1 t sea salt
1/4 t freshly ground pepper

Heat the olive oil or butter in a small pan. Blend in flour, salt, and pepper to make a roux. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.

Add the sauce to the soup, stirring constantly.

Serve with a hearty bread and cheese for lunch!