Pumpkin Pear Bisque With Creme Fraiche Food

PUMPKIN PEAR BISQUE WITH CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Cook leeks and onion in hot margarine or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until tender. Stir in flour. Carefully add chicken broth all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in pumpkin, vanilla bean (if using), salt, pepper, and the 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Return to boiling. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Remove vanilla bean; discard. Add pear halves and pear liquid to pan.
• Process mixture in three or four batches in a food processor bowl or blender container until smooth. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir in light cream and vanilla extract, if using. Heat through, but do not boil.
• To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top with a spoonful of Creme Fraiche; sprinkle with additional nutmeg, if desired.

PUMPKIN AND PEAR BISQUE WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Place pumpkin chunks on one side of a rimmed baking sheet. Place sliced pears on the other side. Drizzle with olive oil and mix around to coat.
• Roast in the preheated oven, stirring halfway through, until pumpkin is easily pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fry bacon in a large pot over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add onion and fennel; cook until onion is soft and clear, about 5 minutes. Add butter and garlic; season with cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Add pumpkin and pears. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in chicken broth to cover all the vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Puree soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Serve hot, with crumbled goat cheese on top.