Acorn Squash Bisque Heart Healthy Food

ACORN SQUASH BISQUE

Steps:

• Place squashes on a paper towel and microwave on high just until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the microwave, and halve each squash lengthwise (to speed cooling). When cool enough to handle, scoop out and discard the seeds. Scrape out flesh into a bowl; discard skin. (To prepare in oven, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Halve squash lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds. Place squash, cut side down, on a rimmed baking sheet; cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast until almost tender when pierced wtih a knife, 15 to 25 minutes. When cool enough to handle, scrape out flesh, discard skin, and proceed with step 2).
• In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium. Add onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add squash, thyme, broth, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce to medium, and cook until squash is very tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Working in batches, puree mixture in a blender until very smooth, about 1 minute. Return to pan; add half-and-half, and season generously with salt and pepper. Thin bisque, if needed, by adding more water. Serve garnished with thyme.

ACORN SQUASH BISQUE

Steps:

• Place squashes on a paper towel and microwave on high just until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the microwave, and halve each squash lengthwise (to speed cooling). When cool enough to handle, scoop out and discard the seeds. Scrape out flesh into a bowl; discard skin. (To prepare in oven, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Halve squash lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds. Place squash, cut side down, on a rimmed baking sheet; cover tightly with aluminum foil. Roast until almost tender when pierced wtih a knife, 15 to 25 minutes. When cool enough to handle, scrape out flesh, discard skin, and proceed with step 2).
• In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium. Add onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add squash, thyme, broth, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce to medium, and cook until squash is very tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Working in batches, puree mixture in a blender until very smooth, about 1 minute. Return to pan; add half-and-half, and season generously with salt and pepper. Thin bisque, if needed, by adding more water. Serve garnished with thyme.

ACORN SQUASH BISQUE HEART HEALTHY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Wash squash, halve, and remove seeds. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until tender. Let squash cool about 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Using a spoon, remove squash pulp from shells. Discard shells.
• In a large saucepan, heat hot oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook until tender, stirring frequently. Add squash pulp, broth, and the water. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture just reaches boiling, stirring frequently. Stir in brown sugar, salt, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon,garlic powder, and pepper. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Place half of the squash mixture in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Pour pureed squash into a medium bowl. Repeat with remaining squash mixture. Return all squash mixture to saucepan. Stir in half-and-half; heat through. If desired, garnish individual servings with pumpkin seeds and sprinkle with additional cinnamon.
• Calories: 89, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 206mg, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Total Fat: 3g, Carbs: 16g, Cholesterol: 3mg, Protein: 2g