Cream of Curried Peanut Soup

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 small onion, minced
3 celery ribs, minced
1 garlic clove, pressed or minced
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. curry powder
1/8-1/4 ground red pepper
3 1/2 C. chicken broth
1 C. creamy peanut butter
2 C. half and half
chopped peanuts for garnish, if desired

Melt butter in soup pot over medium heat; add onion and celery and saute 5 min. Add garlic; saute 2 min. Stir in flour, curry powder, and red pepper until smooth; cook, stirring constantly 1 min. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 20 min.
Stir in peanut butter and half and half; cook, stirring constantly, 3-4 min. Remove from heat, cool slightly. Process mixture in batches, in a food processor or blender until smooth. Garnish if desired.