Gingered Winter Squash And Root Vegetable Soup Food

WINTER ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Combine parsnips, carrots, celery root, turnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in a large roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Toss vegetables to evenly distribute seasonings.
• Roast in the preheated oven until the vegetables are easily pierced with a fork, 30 to 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in the celery and onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer, uncovered. Stir in the roasted vegetables and continue simmering for 10 minutes. Puree the soup using an immersion blender. Stir in the half and half, and season with salt and pepper, if necessary. If the soup becomes too thick, add more vegetable broth.

PURéED WINTER SQUASH SOUP WITH GINGER

Steps:

• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion and carrot. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the winter squash, garlic and minced ginger and cook, stirring, until the mixture smells fragrant, about 1 minute
• Add the water or stock, the rice and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the squash is very tender
• Using a hand blender, or in batches in a regular blender, purée the soup. If using a regular blender, cover the top with a towel pulled down tight, rather than airtight with the lid. Return to the pot and heat through. Stir in the ginger juice, taste and season with salt and pepper. If desired, thin out with a little more water or stock
• Ladle the soup into bowls and add a tablespoon of yogurt (more to taste), then slowly swirl the yogurt into the soup with a spoon. Squeeze a few drops of lime juice onto each serving and sprinkle with whisper of nutmeg

ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLE AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a deep skillet. Add onion and saute over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots, parsnip, and turnip. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
• Add thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, and bay leaves to the pot, tucking the sprigs down into the vegetables so they can release their oils. Add garlic and continue to stir occasionally. Be careful not to let the garlic burn. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Heat vegetable stock in a separate pot. Add all the vegetables from the skillet. Check seasoning and adjust if necessary. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Retrieve all herb sprigs. Serve as is or allow soup to cool and blend in a blender to desired consistency.

ROASTED SQUASH AND GINGER NOODLE SOUP WITH WINTER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Cut 4 pounds squash into large chunks. Cut remaining pound into 1/2-inch dice.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly oiled baking sheet, place ginger and diced squash. Bake until soft, about 20 minutes, turning ginger and squash pieces halfway through the cooking.
• Transfer ginger to a stockpot and reserve roasted squash. Add squash chunks to pot. Add cold water to cover by two inches, turn heat to medium, and heat to a bare simmer. The surface of the liquid should steam but never boil.
• In a hot skillet, toast all spices until lightly browned and fragrant. Add to pot along with 2 tablespoons salt. Cook slowly until squash is very soft, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare the winter vegetables, cut bite size, until just tender, blanching wax beans, chard or radishes; roasting brussels sprouts or cauliflower; or searing mushrooms.
• When broth is done, pour it through a strainer and lightly press on squash chunks to release all the liquid. Discard contents of strainer. Season broth to taste with salt.
• Boil noodles in plenty of salted water, then drain. Divide among 6 to 8 bowls. Divide roasted squash pieces and cooked vegetables on top of noodles. Ladle in broth just to cover noodles and serve immediately.

ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Stir in onion and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, rosemary and bay leaves; cook 1 minute more. Add root vegetables, 8 cups water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove and discard rosemary branches and bay leaves. Using an immersion blender, purée soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can purée the soup in batches in a blender or food processor.) If the soup is too thick, add a little water. Season with lemon juice and more salt to taste.
• To serve, ladle soup into bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil, a few drops of lemon juice, flaky salt and crushed chile or grated cheese, if desired.