Catfish and Wild Rice Soup

Healthy wild rice and curry give this soup a delightful flavor.

1 cup uncooked wild rice
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups light cream or milk
1/4 cup dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
    very thin lemon slices
    parsley sprigs
 
1. Place rice in a colander and rince under running water; drain.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil; add rice. Return to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 45 to 55 minutes or until rice is tender. Drain.
3. In a large kettle or Dutch oven, cook onion, celery, and garlic in butter or margarine until tender. Stir in flour. Add chicken broth, salt, curry powder, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add catfish. Return to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
4. Stir in cooked wild rice, light cream or milk, dry sherry, and ground red pepper. Heat through.
5. Garnish each serving with a slice of lemon and parsley sprig.
 
Notes:

Makes 6 servings.