Leek Delicata Squash Soup With Caramelized Apple Croutons Recipes

LEEK & DELICATA SQUASH SOUP WITH CARAMELIZED APPLE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly and gently scrape or cut squash away from skin (delicata skin is edible, but not tasty in this dish). Set aside.
• Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add leeks and thyme and stir occasionally until soft and brown, 10-15 minutes. Stir in the stock and the squash and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Using an immersion hand blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth. (Alternatively, puree the soup in batches in a standard blender or food processor).
• Season with salt and pepper & top with sour cream and caramelized apple croutons
• To make the croutons:.
• Peel and core apple and halve lengthwise. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, cut apple into very thin slices. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread one layer of apple slices on top. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake slices for 20 minutes at 350 degrees until crisp.
• Transfer to cooling racks and let cool completely.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP WITH GRUYERE CROUTONS

Steps:

• For soup:.
• Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, all squash and herbs; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes.
• Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Return soup to same pot. Stir in cream and sugar; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.).
• For croutons:.
• Preheat broiler. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange bread, buttered side up, on baking sheet. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Turn over. Sprinkle cheese, then thyme and sage over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with croutons and serve.

GRATIN OF DELICATA SQUASH AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400. Spray 11x7-inch ceramic or glass gratin dish with cooking spray. Sprinkle bottom with 1/4 cup of the panko.
• Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-low heat until warm. Cook leeks and prosciutto 4-6 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. (Add a little water if leeks start to scorch).
• Combine rosemary, salt and pepper in small bowl. Arrange half of the squash slices in baking dish; sprinkle with half of the rosemary mixture. Spread leek mixture over squash; top with remaining squash. Gently pour broth over squash; sprinkle with remaining rosemary mixture. Cover with foil sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 35-40 minutes or until squash is almost tender. (Gratin can be prepared to this point 1 day ahead. Cool slightly; refrigerate. Bake, covered, at 400 for 15 minutes before continuing with recipe). Sprinkle gratin with cheese. Combine remaining 1/4 cup panko and butter; sprinkle over cheese. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender and top is golden brown.
• Tips: Deli ham or salami can be substituted.

SQUASH & LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Cut squash into half lengthwise, clean out seeds and place skin up on a baking dish, bake at 400 for about 45 minute allow to cool, peel off skin and cut into large chunks.
• In a large pot, saute the onions, ginger, leeks, and garlic in the butter until soft.
• Add the chicken stock, and wine (if using,or increase chicken stock) and simmer about 20 minute.
• Transfer to a large bowl or measuring cup.
• Fill blender or food processer with 1/2 stock and 1/2 squash.
• (This took me 3 batches) Puree.
• Return to pot and add salt, pepper to taste.
• Simmer about 20 minute Freezes well.

MAPLE GLAZED DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut off squash ends, halve lengthwise, seeded and sliced into 1 inch half moons.
• In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup and sage, bring to simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 15 minutes, set aside, covered.
• In a bowl, toss squash slices with olive oil and salt.
• Transfer to a a foil lined baking sheet in a single layer, bake at 400 for 20 minutes.
• Pour maple syrup mixture evenly on top of squash, bake 20 minutes more until squash is browned and tender.