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1
Melt the butter in a thick-based saucepan, then add the prepared vegetables and some salt, and cook gently with the lid on for 5-10 minutes to draw out the juices.
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2
stir in the cornflour to absorb the juices and, when smooth, gradually pour in the cider - still stirring.
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3
Add the chicken or vegetable stock, cover the pan and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
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4
Then add the milk and Stilton and re-heat, stirring, until the cheese has melted and the soup is just below boiling point.
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5
Taste and season with salt and pepper, then stir in the creme fraiche.
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6
At this stage you can puree the soup in a food processor or with a hand held blender or, if you prefer the texture of the chopped vegetables, keep it as it is.
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7
Serve the soup with the Parmesan croutons & the chopped chives.
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8
CROUTONS:
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9
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4/180C/350F or pre-heat the grill.
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10
Place the bread cubes in a bowl, sprinkle in the oil, then stir them around until the bread has soaked up all the oil.
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11
Next add the freshly grated Parmesan, and stir again till all the bread cubes are well coated.
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12
Spread them out over a baking sheet and either bake in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes, or else place them under the pre-heated grill, turning as necessary. (If you use the grill, watch them VERY CAREFULLY as they can burn very easily.).
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13
The croutons can be made well in advance and stored in an airtight tin for up to two weeks.
