Winter Squash Soup With A Sweet Heat Recipes

SWEET AND CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large frying pan on low.
• Add squash and spices.
• Stir-cook on low for three minutes and then add water.
• Cover pan and increase heat to level six.
• Allow to steam for ten minutes.
• Remove from heat and blend contents of pan in a food processor with 1/2 quart of skim milk.
• Pour food processor mixture into a pot and add Splenda brown sugar blend.
• Heat to level 6 while stirring in the remaining skim milk. (The amount of milk added is variable to desired texture.).
• Cover and simmer on level 4 for 15 minutes.
• If serving warm, ladle soup into bowls and garnish with crushed walnuts and cinnamon. (An alternative is to use more Splenda Brown Sugar Blend).
• If serving cold, refrigerate for 2 hours and then follow previous instructions.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a heavy - bottomed stockpot, add the onions, and cook over medium - low heat for 10 minutes, or until translucent. Add the pumpkin puree, butternut squash, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over medium - low heat for about 20 minutes, until the butternut squash is very tender. Process the mixture through the medium blade of a food mill. Return to the pot, add the half - and - half, and heat slowly. If the soup needs more flavor, add another teaspoon of salt. Serve hot with garnishes, if desired.
• Cook's Note: To serve with croutons, remove the crusts from 2 slices of white bread, cut them in 1/2-inch cubes, and saute them in 1 tablespoon of butter until browned. Season with salt and pepper.

SOUTHWESTERN WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub all over with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season the cut sides with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast until very tender, about 30 minutes (a fork should easily pierce the skin). Set aside until cool enough to handle, then scoop out the squash into a bowl and discard the skin.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the tortilla pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the carrots, red onion, chile, garlic, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the onion has softened, about 4 minutes.
• Add the roasted squash, broth and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the carrots are very tender, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth; return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.) Add up to 1 cup water if the soup is too thick and reheat if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with toppings.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400.
• Cut the squash in half, seed it, and quarter it.
• Brush well with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Place cut side up in a baking dish and roast until squash is soft and browned at the edges, 45 minutes-1 hour.
• When squash is tender throughout, scoop flesh from skin and set aside.
• These steps can be done ahead of time and frozen for later use.
• Cook onion in butter over medium low heat until soft.
• Onion should be sweated, not cooked till brown or caramelized.
• Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
• Add the wine and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced to nearly dry (about ten minutes).
• Combine the herbs and spices (thyme through fresh parsley) in a cheesecloth bundle/bouquet garni, add it to the pot.
• Add the squash pulp to the pot.
• Gradually add the chicken stock to desired thickness (you may not need all 4 cups), and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to simmer, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer soup for 20 minutes.
• Remove cheesecloth bundle/bouquet garni, and puree soup with hand blender or food processor until it is the desired consistency.
• Serve hot.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large stockpot over moderate heat. Add the onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato, garlic, jalapeno and salt and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add the squash and stock and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes, or until the squash is falling apart and soup is thickened slightly. Puree soup with an immersion blender, or use a blender and return soup to a clean pan. Add the milk and heat gently. Stir in the cheese and adjust the seasonings.;