Shallot, Cider and Apple Soup

You'll need:

750g shallots, peeled and chopped
4 large cooking onions, peeled and sliced
olive oil for cooking
4 cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced
120g butter
250ml dry cider
1.5l chicken stock
550ml double cream
salt and black pepper
2 peeled and crushed garlic cloves
chives, chopped, for garnish
croutons

Method:

1. Cook the onion, garlic and shallot in a little olive oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed pan. Do not brown.

2. Add most of the apples and all the cider, simmer until reduced. Add the stock, cream and simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Cool slightly, puree in a food processor and pass through a sieve. Return the soup to the pan and bring to the boil.

4. Season well with pepper and salt.

5. Fry the remaining apple slices in butter until golden.  Garnish soup with croutons, chives and fried apple.