Fennel and Comice Pear Soup Recipe

Fennel, also called sweet anise or finocchio, is crunchy and has a lovely anisey flavor. It has three distinct parts: the stalks, the feathery fronds (which can be used as an herb), and the pale green bulbs. Comice pears are large and very sweet and juicy. Together they make a perfect seasonal first course.

2 fresh fennel bulbs

1 yellow onion (chopped)

2 tablespoons butter

2 Comice pears (peeled and coarsely chopped)

4 cups chicken broth

salt

white pepper

freshly ground black pepper

Step 1

Trim base and stalks from fennel bulbs, reserving a few leaves for garnish. Coarsely chop bulbs.

Step 2

In a medium pan, combine chopped fennel, onion, butter, and 2 tbsp. water; cover and cook over medium-high heat until vegetables are limp, 5 to 7 minutes. Add pears and chicken broth; cover and simmer until pears are soft, about 5 minutes. Purée the mixture in a blender, in batches if necessary.

Step 3

Return soup to pan to reheat. If it's too thick, add a little more broth. Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fennel fronds and freshly ground black pepper.

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Fennel and Comice Pear Soup