Savory Squash Soup No Food Processor Required

WOLFGANG PUCK'S SAVORY SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cut each squash in half and discard seeds.
• Brush cut sides with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Arrange the squash cut side down in a roasting pan and bake until tender, approximately 1 hour.
• Allow to cool until squash can be safely handled, then scoop out insides of squash.
• Puree the flesh in a food processor, reserve.
• This should produce about 4 cups of pureed squash.
• In a medium stockpot, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter.
• Over low heat, saute the onion, do not allow it to brown.
• Add pureed squash and cook over very low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
• Do not allow it to bubble up.
• Season with salt, pepper, ginger and cardamom.
• Pour in stock and bring to a boil, over low heat, stirring often.
• Cook about 20 minutes.
• Add the Cream Fraiche and rosemary spring.
• Warm through, remove rosemary and adjust seasonings to taste.
• Roast the peppers over flame on stove or under broiler until skin blackens evenly.
• Allow to cool, peel off black skin, remove core and seeds; chop coarsely.
• In blender or food processor, puree the peppers, adding chicken broth until thick sauce consistency is attained.
• Season with salt and pepper, strain, and pour into plastic squeeze bottle.
• Serve the soup with swirls of the roasted red pepper coulis.

SAVORY ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Rub olive oil on cut-side of butternut squash halves; sprinkle each with salt and pepper. Lay squash, cut-side down, on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake squash in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour. Scoop squash flesh into a bowl and mash.
• Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in melted butter until onion is slightly softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add carrots; cook and stir until carrot and onion are tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir mashed squash, marjoram, celery seed, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in chicken stock; bring mixture to a boil.
• Gradually add cream and cream cheese to squash mixture; stir until cream cheese is melted and incorporated. Bring to a simmer and cook until flavors blend, 30 minutes.

SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the quartered squash onto a half sheet pan, brush the flesh of the squash with a little butter and season with 1 tablespoon of the salt and 1 teaspoon of the white pepper. Place in the oven and roast for 30 to 35 minutes or until the flesh is soft and tender.
• Scoop the flesh from the skin into a 6-quart pot. Add the broth, honey and ginger. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Using a stick blender, puree the mixture until smooth*. Stir in the heavy cream and return to a low simmer. Season with the remaining salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• *When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.