Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/4           cup  cooking oil
     1/2           cup  minced onion
     1/2           cup  minced celery
  4                     pears -- peel/seed/core
     1/2           cup  blanched almonds
     1/2           cup  pear brandy or sherry
  4               cups  vegetable stock
  1           teaspoon  fresh thyme
  1         tablespoon  fresh sage
  1                     salt and pepper -- to taste

Preparation:

Heat oil in a wide pot and add onion and celery. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to brown. Add pears and almonds and cook together lightly, about 3 minutes. Add brandy or sherry and cook about 3 minutes to allow alcohol to evaporate. Add stock, herbs, salt and pepper. Cook 40 minutes on medium heat. Set aside to cool. Transfer mixture to blender or food processor and blend well. Strain mixture back into saucepan and reheat, tasting and seasoning as necessary. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information:

331 Calories (kcal); 18g Total Fat; (48% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 38g Carbohydrate; 2mg Cholesterol; 1796mg Sodium