Thermomix - Cream of Celery and Cheese Soup

I converted my mum's recipe for this soup - it is one of my favourites and I don't normally like celery!  It turned out just as good as the original recipe, and much easier.  The thermomix really shines with soups - no need to transfer to a separate blender or make a mess with a stick blender.

CREAM OF CELERY AND CHEESE SOUP

Ingredients:
120g tasty cheese
200g bacon
300g celery (½ large celery), leaves and stalks - chopped into large lengths
1 large potato - peeled and chopped into large pieces
2 onions - peeled and halved
2 cloves garlic - peeled
1½ tbsp stock paste concentrate (or equivalent powdered stock)
600g water
¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
200g cream
Fresh parsley or coriander for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. Fry bacon on the stove - you can keep the rashers whole at this stage - no need to chop.
2. Place cheese in TM bowl and grate on speed 7 for a couple of seconds.  Set aside and rinse bowl.
3. Place vegies (celery, potato, onions, garlic) and bacon (broken into large pieces) into TM bowl with stock paste and water.  Chop for 2 - 3 seconds on speed 4, using the spatula to help move the contents about.
4. Cook at Varoma temp for 5 minutes (or until the temperature reaches 100 degrees) on speed 1. When the time sounds, add bicarb and cook at 100 degrees for 12 minutes on speed 1.
5. Blend the soup by slowly turning the speed dial from 1 to speed 10 and keep at speed 10 for 10 seconds.
6. Add cream and stir at 70 degrees at speed 3 for 1 minute.
7. Add grated cheese and continue to stir at speed 2 for another 2 minutes (no need to set a temperature).
8. Serve with a swirl of extra cream in each bowl and parsley or coriander to garnish if desired.