Curried Squash Soup With Apple And Cheddar Melts Food

APPLE-CHEDDAR-SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-low heat and add the onion, apples, potato and squash. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in the sage and flour. Add the cider and cook over high heat, stirring, until thickened. Add the broth and milk, cover and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the potato is soft, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the prosciutto and cook until crisp, turning occasionally, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Add the cheese to the soup and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Puree in a blender in batches until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the prosciutto, more cheese and chives, if using. Serve with bread, if desired.

APPLE-CHEDDAR SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large wide pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Add the apples and cook, stirring, until soft but not mushy, about 10 minutes more.
• Sprinkle the flour and nutmeg over the onions and apples. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is light brown and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the apple-flavored brandy and continue to cook, stirring, until the pot is almost dry.
• Gradually whisk in the broth until well blended. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the milk and return to a simmer. Whisk in the cheese a handful at a time until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve in soup bowls and garnish with more cheese and the chives if using.

CURRIED SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add onions; cook 4 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in curry powder; cook and stir 1 min.
• Add squash, apples, broth and vinegar; stir. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat 25 to 30 min. or until squash and apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.
• Process soup, in batches, in food processor until smooth. Return to saucepan. Add cream cheese; cook on medium-low heat 3 to 5 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and soup is heated through, stirring constantly with whisk.

CURRIED SQUASH SOUP WITH APPLE AND CHEDDAR MELTS

Steps:

• Cook's Note: For a substitute for curry powder, combine 2 teaspoons turmeric, 1 1/2 teaspoons each ground cumin and ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon each ground mustard and ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon and cayenne pepper. For the curried squash soup: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Dress the squash with the EVOO to coat lightly. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and a little freshly grated nutmeg, and coat with the curry powder. Drizzle the honey all over and roast until golden on the edges and very tender, about 25 minutes. The spices will toast with the squash and fill the air with a terrific aroma. Meanwhile heat a drizzle of EVOO in a soup pot over medium to medium-high heat, and then add the butter to melt. Stir in the garlic, carrots, apples and onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, partially covered, until softened, about 10 minutes. Pour in the stock and a drizzle of honey (or chutney). Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 20 minutes. Add the roasted squash and puree with an immersion blender, thinning the soup with water if necessary. The soup can alternately be pureed in batches in a food processor or high-power blender. Adjust the seasoning. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal, bringing to room temperature before reheating over a medium flame. Garnish with the scallions and cilantro. For the apple and cheddar melts: Spread each bread slice with softened butter on 1 side and chutney on the other. Fill the sandwiches, chutney sides-in, with the cheese and apples in the center. Griddle the sandwiches over medium heat until deeply golden and the cheese has melted.

CURRIED BUTTERCUP SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, maple syrup, 2 tablespoons water, and a pinch of salt. Cover; refrigerate.
• In another bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with 2 teaspoons salt. Spread evenly over baking pan. Toast in oven until seeds are golden and begin to pop, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Butter a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking dish. Place squash, cut side down, and 1/2 cup water in dish. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool 45 minutes. Remove seeds, peel, and set aside.
• In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions, celery, and carrots; cook, stirring, until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add brown sugar and spices; cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add apples and brandy; cook 10 minutes. Add squash and 12 cups water; simmer 1 hour. Let cool 30 minutes. Puree in food processor until smooth. Add honey, salt, and pepper to taste; pulse to combine.
• To serve, garnish with a dollop of maple cream, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.