Plum and Chicken Soup with Crispy Fried Garlic

With the onset of Monsoon, the weather has become a little cold and there is a slight nip in the air. This is the time to sip on some thing warm and soothing and that's exactly what I did for today's dinner. A bowl of this hearty plum and chicken soup with a crunch from fried garlic in every bite and a few slices of Herb and Garlic bread to dunk in the soup is just what I needed to enjoy the weather. This combination of Plums and chicken is sure to impress your taste buds. Here is the recipe to make this Plum and Chicken Soup with Crispy Fried Garlic. This recipe also goes to the Kitchen Aid Contest held by IFBM, a food bloggers meet that is happening in Bangalore.

All you need is

Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 8-10 cloves ( chopped )
Onion - 1\2 cup ( sliced )
Celery - 1\4 cup ( chopped )
Plums - 5-6 ( de seeded and chopped )
Chicken breast - 1 ( cut into pieces )
Bay leaf - 1
Chicken stock - 4 cups
Butter - 1 tbsp
All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
Freshly ground black pepper - 1\2 tsp
Dried rosemary - 1\2 tsp
Dried thyme - 1\2 tsp
Dried oregano - 1\2 tsp
Salt to taste
Fresh cream - 2 tbsp

Method of preparation

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan.
Add 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic and fry for a few seconds.
Add onion, celery and fry for a minute.
Add plums and chicken and fry for a minute.
Add bay leaf and chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil.
Cook for 3-4 minutes.
Remove the pan from heat and blend the mixture in a blender.
Add butter in a pan.
Add all purpose flour and fry for a few seconds.
Add the pureed mixture in the pan.
Add black pepper, rosemary, thyme, oregano and salt.
Add cream and cook the soup for a minute.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a small pan.
Add garlic and fry till golden brown and crisp.
Pour the oil over the soup.
Serve hot with some bread on the side.