Plantain Soup with Celery Rib

Ingredients

 * 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
 * 1 small Onion, finely chopped
 * 1 carrot, finely chopped
 * 1 celery rib, finely chopped
 * 2 garlic cloves, minced
 * 4 - 4½ cups chicken stock or broth
 * 2 green plantains, peeled, quartered lengthwise & thinly sliced
 * 1 bunch cilantro, stemmed and finely chopped
 * ½ - 1 teaspoon cumin
 * 1 bay leaf
 * salt & pepper

Directions

 * 1) Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.
 * 2) Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic.
 * 3) Cook, uncovered, for 3–4 minutes, or until onions are soft but not brown.
 * 4) Add 4 cups of chicken stock/broth and bring to boil over high heat.
 * 5) Add plantains, most of the cilantro (reserve a few tablespoons for garnish), cumin, and bay leaf.
 * 6) Season with salt and pepper.
 * 7) Return to boil.
 * 8) Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered for 40–50 minutes or until plantains very tender.
 * 9) Remove and discard bay leaf.
 * 10) Transfer half the soup to blender; puree until smooth.
 * 11) Return to the pan.
 * 12) If soup is too thick, add a little more stock/broth.
 * 13) Season with more salt/cumin if desired.