Gingered Butternut Squash Soup With Spicy Pecan Cream Food

GINGERED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Place squash in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with 4-1/2 teaspoons oil; toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until tender. Set aside. , In a soup kettle, saute onion in butter and remaining oil for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in the ginger, curry, salt and pepper; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in potatoes; cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Cool slightly. , Stir in reserved squash. In a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth. Return to the pan. Stir in milk; heat through. Garnish with sour cream if desired.

GINGERED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH SPICY PECAN CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Rub the cut sides of the squash with the olive oil and set them, cut side down, on a large rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake the squash for about 1 hour, or until very tender.
• Remove from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Spoon the squash flesh into a large bowl; discard the skins.
• In a pie plate, toast the pecans for about 8 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant; let the nuts cool.
• In a large pot, melt the butter.
• Add the onion, fennel and ginger and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 8 minutes.
• Add the squash and the chicken stock, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Uncover the pot and continue cooking until the squash starts to fall apart, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut milk.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the pecans until they are finely chopped.
• In a medium bowl, beat the cream until soft peaks form.
• Fold in the chopped pecans, hazelnut oil and cayenne pepper and season with salt.
• Working in batches, puree the squash soup in a blender until smooth.
• Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt.
• Ladle the soup into bowls, top with a dollop of the pecan cream and serve.
• *The soup can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently, adding a little chicken stock to thin the soup.
• Serve with a fruity, aromatic Viognier will have enough body to stand up to this rich soup. The 2006 Becker Vineyards Texas Viognier would be terrific; or consider the peachy 2006 Stags' Leap Viognier from Napa Valley, an easier-to-find alternative.
• Enjoy!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Oil baking sheet. Place squash, cut side down, on baking sheet. Bake until squash is very soft, about 50 minutes. Using paring knife, remove peel from squash; discard peel. Cut squash into 2-inch pieces. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Mix in onion, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and cinnamon. Cover pot and cook until onion is tender, about 15 minutes. Add squash and 5 cups chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon.
• Working in batches, purée soup in blender. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate.) Return soup to pot. Season soup with salt and pepper. Bring to simmer, thinning soup with more broth if necessary. Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

GINGER BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Melt butter or margarine in stock pot, and add onions. Sautee over medium heat until translucent.
• 2. Add ginger, garlic, and cubed butternut squash. Sautee a few more minutes until fragrant.
• 3. Add orange juice, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes, until the squash is tender.
• 4. With an immersion blender, puree until it is completely smooth and creamy.
• 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If it is too thick you may add more water.

GINGERED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH SPICY PECAN CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Rub the cut sides of the squash with the olive oil and set them, cut side down, on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake the squash for about 1 hour, or until very tender. Remove from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle. Spoon the squash flesh into a large bowl; discard the skins. In a pie plate, toast the pecans for about 8 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant; let the nuts cool. In a large pot, melt the butter. Add the onion, fennel and ginger and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the squash and the chicken stock, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover the pot and continue cooking until the squash starts to fall apart, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut milk. Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the pecans until they are finely chopped. In a medium bowl, beat the cream until soft peaks form. Fold in the chopped pecans, hazelnut oil and cayenne pepper and season with salt. Working in batches, puree the squash soup in a blender until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with a dollop of the pecan cream and serve. MAKE AHEAD The soup can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat gently, adding a little chicken stock to thin the soup.