Curried Squashy Apples Leeks Food

CURRIED SQUASH SOUP WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• In a large bowl of water, wash leeks and drain.
• In a heavy kettle cook onion in butter over moderately low heat, stirring until softened. Add leeks and salt to taste and cook, stirring until softened. Add curry powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining soup ingredients and simmer, covered, 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
• Cool soup slightly and puree in batches in a blender or food processor. Season soup with salt and pepper. (Soup may be made 5 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, before chilling, covered. Reheat soup, thinning with water if desired.) Top with frizzled leeks.

CURRIED SQUASH & APPLE BISQUE WITH LEEK

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed 6-quart pot, over medium heat, sauté the leeks, celery, apple, and salt in olive oil until softened (8 minutes). Add the curry powder, cinnamon, and bay leaf stirring until the spices become fragrant (1 minute). Add the squash, potato, and broth. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the potato crumbles when pressed with a fork (25-30 minutes). Remove from heat and discard bay leaf. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender (working in small batches), puree the soup until completely smooth. Strain the soup through a fine mesh strainer, taking care not to push the fibrous solids through the mesh. Return the soup to the stove and bring to a light simmer, reducing until the soup lightly coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup, orange juice, heavy cream or evaporated skim milk, and a dash of pepper. Garnish with chopped chives, if desired. *Optional garnishes have not been included in the rating of this recipe.

CURRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat; add in the leek, celery, garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar, curry powder and cumin; cook stirring for 3-4 minutes.
• Add in the chopped butternut squash, broth (or water) and apples; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the squash is tender.
• Place half of the broth in a blender; process until smooth; transfer to a heat-proof bowl.
• Repeat with the remaining soup; return to the pot along with the soup from the bowl.
• Add in evaporated milk or whipping cream; cook for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
• Season with salt and lots black pepper.
• Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with croutons.

CURRIED LENTIL, SQUASH AND APPLE STEW

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat, and sauté onion and carrot until almost soft. Add garlic, ginger, curry and salt, and let cook a few more minutes until fragrant.
• Stir in lentils, broth and tomato paste. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Add squash and apple, cover and simmer for another 25 minutes, or until vegetables and lentils are tender. Remove lid and stir in spinach until wilted. Add salt to taste and serve.

CURRIED SQUASH SOUP WITH FRIZZLED LEEKS

Steps:

• Make soup:
• In a large bowl of water wash leeks and drain by lifting leeks from water into a colander. In a heavy kettle cook onion in butter over moderately low heat, stirring until softened. Add leeks and salt to taste and cook, stirring, until softened. Add curry powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining soup ingredients and simmer, covered, 30 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.
• Cool soup slightly and in a blender or food processor purée in batches, transferring as puréed to a bowl. Season soup with salt and pepper. Soup may be made 5 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, before chilling, covered. Reheat soup, thinning with water if desired.
• Make frizzled leeks:
• Cut leeks lengthwise into thin strips. In a bowl of water wash leeks and drain by lifting leeks from water into a colander. Dry leeks very well between layers of paper towels.
• In a saucepan at least 3 1/2 inches deep heat 1 inch oil to 375°F. on a deep-fat thermometer. Working in very small batches fry leeks (oil will bubble up quite high) until golden, about 10 to 15 seconds, transferring with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Season frizzled leeks with salt. Leeks may be fried 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Serve soup topped with frizzled leeks.

CURRIED APPLE AND LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in curry powder and cook 1 minute. Stir in leeks, potato and apples and cook 5 minutes. Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Puree in a blender or food processor, or using an immersion blender. Season with salt and pepper and serve with a swirl of yogurt.