Hotel Roanoke Peanut Soup with a Side Dish of "Hello Trolley"

I just finished writing and illustrating my first children's book, Hello Trolley! The book follows the approximate route of Roanoke's Starline trolley system. The writing is geared for preschool and elementary school students. But many adults might enjoy it, too. It uses rhyme/rhythm/repetition, visual cues, and high predictability. It also introduces ordinal numbers. My goal is to make emergent readers feel successful in developing their reading skills. I had so much FUN creating Hello Trolley. It's now available on Amazon.

Other than a plug for my book, you might be wondering: What does this have to do with recipes?

In my book, the last stop is the Hotel Roanoke. The main character, Conductor Charlie (who just happens to be an elephant) has good reason for stopping here. 

In honor of "Conductor Charlie" and all the people who enjoy Hotel Roanoke's signature dish, I would like to share this recipe. For many years, Chef Fred Brown and the "Grand Old Lady" wouldn't publish the recipe. But eventually, the hotel released the "Peanut Soup" recipe to the public. Some guests believe that it still tastes better when eaten at the elegant historic hotel. What do you think?

HOTEL ROANOKE PEANUT SOUP

2 quarts chicken broth

1 pint peanut butter

1 small onion diced

1/2 cup ground peanuts

1/4 pound butter

1/3 teaspoon celery salt

2 branches celery diced

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Melt butter in cooking vessel and add onion and celery. Stir for 5 minutes but not brown.
Add flour and mix well. Add hot chicken broth and cook for a half hour. Remove from stove, strain and add peanut butter, celery salt, salt and lemon juice. Sprinkle ground peanuts on soup just before serving. Serves 10.

Enjoying a signature dish and bountiful buffet at the Hotel Roanoke