Fennel and Watercress Soup

Title: Fennel and Watercress Soup
Categories: Chicken Soup
Yield: 4 servings

1 tb Butter
1/2 x Large fennel bulb chopped
1 ea Small onion, thinly sliced
1 lb Pototaes, peeled, sliced(4)
4 c Strong chicken stock
1 x Parsley, bay leaves
1 x Peppercorn, thyme
1 x Salt and pepper
1/2 c Whipping cream
1 ts Chopped parsley
1 x Large bunch watercress

Melt butter in heavy saucepan. Add fennel and onion, cook over medium heat until sof t but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, stock and parsley, bay leaf, peppercorns and thyme enclosed in a small cheesecloth pouch. Simmer 30 minutes then remove. Pass soup through food mill or puree until smooth in a food processor or blender. Pour puree into a clean saucepan, bring back to boil and correct seasoning. Add cream to taste and chopped parsley. Place bunch of watercress in boiling water for 3 to 5 seconds then plunge in cold water. Drain cut leaves from stalks. Place soup in a heated tureen and serve.

Makes four 1 1/2 cup servings.