Dad's Celery Root Blended Soup

Andy makes wonderful soups. Anytime we roast a chicken or a turkey, he simmers the bones into delicious stocks and freezes it in batches. One of the soups he makes most often is from a great cookbook we love, Everybody Eats Well in Belgium Cookbook.

Celery Root Soup

3 Tbsp butter
2 large celery roots (celeriac, about 1 pound each), peeled and cut into 1" chunks
6 ribs celery, coarsely chopped
1 med onion, chopped
2.5 c water (recipe calls for 5 c but we use 2.5 for a thicker soup)
5 c chicken broth
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 bay leaf
1 c milk or cream
salt and pepper

Melt butter in a heavy pot. Add celery root, celery, and onion. Cook, stirring until soft, about 10 min. Add water, both, potatoes and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer partially covered about 45 min. Remove from heat and let cool a little. Puree in blender in batches. Return to pot and stir in milk and season to taste with salt and pepper. Reheat but don't bring to a boil or milk will curdle.

Dad loves this soup so much, he's trying to grow his own celery root.