Carrot-Apple Soup With Sage Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted margarine
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium stalk celery, sliced
• 8 medium carrots (about 1 lb.), peeled and sliced
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped
• 5 cups reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage, crumbled
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 thin unpeeled apple slices, dipped in lemon juice (optional)