Creamed Chayote Soup

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 strips bacon or 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 cups chicken broth, vegetable stock or water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small potato, peeled and sliced
• 4 medium chayote, peeled and seeded
• 1 cup cream or half and half
• Lime wedges, for garnish

Directions

Cook whole bacon strips slowly over low heat in a large soup pot until almost all fat is rendered out, or omit bacon and melt butter. Add diced onion, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken stock, bay leaves and potato and simmer 20 minutes or until potato slices are soft. Meanwhile, finely chop chayote in a food processor.

Remove and discard bay leaves and bacon and add chopped chayote. Bring to a boil, return to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until the chayote is soft, about 15 minutes.

Puree in a blender until smooth. Strain back into pot, pressing with a ladle to extract all juices. Add cream or half and half. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Serve immediately with lime wedges.