Scandinavian Rhubarb Soup With Vanilla Food

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND RHUBARB SOUP

Steps:

• To make the rhubarb puree, wipe and cut the rhubarb into chunks, place in a saucepan with 1 tablespoon of caster sugar and bring slowly to the boil.
• Leave to boil for one minute only and take off heat.
• Leave in saucepan with lid on and allow to cool down completely.
• Fry onion in oil.
• Peel, de-seed and chunk the butternut squash and place in pressure cooker with the onion.
• Add the chicken stock and cook on high for about 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool before liquidising in a blender.
• Add the pureed rhubarb and 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander.
• Season to taste.

NORWEGIAN RHUBARB COMPOTE

Steps:

• Cut rhubarb into 1/2 inch pieces.
• Heat water and ¾ cup sugar to boiling, stirring occasionally.
• Add fruit. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, until rhubarb is tender.
• Thickening:.
• Mix ¼ cup water and cornstarch; stir into rhubarb.
• Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute and stir over medium heat. Note: Rhubarb will burn if not stirred! Stir in vanilla extract.
• To serve:.
• If using glass serving bowls, be sure to temper with warm water first, otherwise the glass will crack.
• Pour into serving bowl or individual dessert bowls.
• When ready to serve, beat whipping cream with 2 tablespoons sugar in chilled bowl until stiff.
• Pipe cream through decorators' tube or spoon onto rhubarb compote.

SCANDINAVIAN VANILLA RHUBARB SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan bring rhubarb, water and sugar to a bowl over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer until rhubarb breaks down, about 15 minutes. Press any large chunks of rhubarb against the side of the pan to break them up. Add salt and vanilla. Stir to combine.
• Pour into a large stainless steel bowl and let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until soup is cold and flavors have combined, at least 4 hours.
• Stir soup to blend. Ladle into chilled bowls, garnish with a small scoop of gelato, a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt plus strawberries, if using. Serve.