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Vegetable Potage with Comté Crisps

Comté crisps are the perfect accompaniment to a steaming bowl of vegetable potage, or thick soup. This version gets whizzed together in less than thirty minutes. Dunk a Comté crisp into the soup, take a cheesy bite, and welcome to heaven!
Print Recipe
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil plus more for brushing crisps
  • 2 medium onions diced
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 1½ teaspoons salt divided, plus additional for seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus additional for seasoning
  • 2 large garlic cloves coarsely chopped
  • 1½ pounds sweet potatoes 2 medium, peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 1 lemon wedge
  • ½ baguette cut on the diagonal into ½-inch slices
  • 1 cup packed shredded Comté 2½-ounces

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • In a large saucepan, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery, along with 1 teaspoon salt and ½teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the sweet potatoes, bay leaves, thyme sprigs and remaining ½ teaspoon salt, along with 5 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook, partially covered, 10-15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes and vegetables are tender.
  • Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Using a blender or hand blender, puree the soup until smooth. Season with salt, pepper and a few drops of lemon juice to taste.
  • COMTE CRISPS: Line the baguette slices on the prepared baking sheet and brush them lightly on both sides with olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake 4-6 minutes, or until lightly crisp on top. Turn the bread over and cook another 3-5 minutes, or until crisp on the other side. Mound the Comté evenly over each crisp. Bake 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is just melted. Serve warm or at room temperature with the soup.