Back to recipes index
Finger pointing left

PAUL SPICER

CHESTNUT SOUP
This is a Christmas ‘standard’ in our family and was called ‘agony soup’ by my parents who roasted the chestnuts on the fire and then peeled them while hot – hence the ‘agony’ tag! But chestnuts are, of course, a firm favourite at Christmas and this lovely, warming soup makes a delicious start to Christmas lunch before the arrival of the turkey. It is extremely easy to make and is no longer agonising to prepare! ​
INGREDIENTS
  • 3 or 4 bags of peeled whole chestnuts (Merchant Gourmet ‘simply roasted’ whole chestnuts are what I use)
  • 2oz (60gm) butter
  • 1 onion
  • 2 or 3 sticks of celery 
  • Parsley
  • 1 litre+ of chicken stock 
  • 150ml double cream
  • Salt and black pepper
METHOD
  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan
  2. Peel and finely chop the onion then add to the pan.
  3. Cook until tender
  4. Add the chestnuts and washed and chopped celery
  5. Add the stock and bring to a boil
  6. Cover and simmer for 45 mins to an hour
  7. Liquidise
  8. Return the soup to the pan and add plenty of salt and pepper
  9. When nearly ready to serve, add the cream and bring back to full heat but be careful not to boil. Sprinkle with parsley. 
image of chestnuts
Chestnuts Photo: Jefferson Andrade
Paul Spicer photo
Paul Spicer
Paul Spicer is one of the leading choral directors in the UK. He is a conducting teacher, composer, writer, lecturer and one of the leading specialists in 20th century British musicPaul Spicer is one of the leading choral directors in the UK. He is a conducting teacher, composer, writer, lecturer and one of the leading specialists in 20th century British music.

Paul Spicer began his musical training as a chorister at New College, Oxford.  He studied with Herbert Howells and Richard Popplewell (organ) at the Royal College of Music in London, winning the top organ award (the Walford Davies Prize) in his final year.  Paul is best known as a choral conductor, partly through the many CDs he made with the Finzi Singers for Chandos Records and more recently with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir for Somm Records.  He conducted Bach Choirs in Chester and Leicester before moving to conduct the Birmingham Bach Choir in 1992.  He taught at the Royal College of Music between 1995 and 2008, and also at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire until 2022, conducting its Chamber Choir which made ten highly acclaimed recordings during his tenure. He also taught conducting at Oxford and Durham universities.
Paul's website
BACK TO THE RECIPES INDEX