Chilled Chayote Soup With Cilantro Crema Fresca Recipes

CREAM OF CHAYOTE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large soup pot over low heat, fry the bacon until almost all the fat is rendered, or melt the butter. Raise the heat to medium, add the onion, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the stock or water, bay leaves and potato and simmer until the potato slices are soft, about 20 minutes
• When the potato slices are soft, remove and discard the bay leaves and bacon. Add the chayotes and bring to a boil. Return the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until the chayotes are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth. As each batch is pureed, pour the puree through a sieve placed over a bowl, pressing with the back of a spoon to extract all the juices. Pour the puree back into the pot, add the cream or half-and-half and bring just to a boil. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Remove from the heat and ladle into warmed bowls. Slip a few lime slices into each bowl and serve hot.

CREAMED CHAYOTE SOUP

Steps:

• Cook whole bacon strips slowly over low heat in a large soup pot until almost all fat is rendered out, or omit bacon and melt butter. Add diced onion, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken stock, bay leaves and potato and simmer 20 minutes or until potato slices are soft. Meanwhile, finely chop chayote in a food processor.
• Remove and discard bay leaves and bacon and add chopped chayote. Bring to a boil, return to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until the chayote is soft, about 15 minutes.
• Puree in a blender until smooth. Strain back into pot, pressing with a ladle to extract all juices. Add cream or half and half. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

CHAYOTE SOUP

Steps:

• Dissolve the bouillon in the hot water.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion, garlic, and red pepper in the butter until the onion is soft. Add the squash, 2 tablespoons cilantro, salt, and pepper and stir continually for 5 minutes. Stir in the bouillon mixture and 1 tablespoon cilantro; cover. Simmer about 20 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into bowls and garnish with a sprig of cilantro to serve.