1. Trim the celery; wash and thinly slice. Peel and finely chop the onion. Finely chop the apricots.
2. Heat oil. Add celery and onion; cover and saute, without browning, for 10 minutes. Shake the pan occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Add apricots, stock and seasonings. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before blending in a blender. Return to a pan and reheat. Serve hot.