Williams Sonoma Butternut Squash Soup Food

WILLIAMS-SONOMA BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Saute the vegetables. In a frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute longer.
• Cook the soup. Put the squash chunks in the slow cooker and sprinkle with the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. Pour the contents of the frying pan over the squash and add the broth. Cover and cook on the high-heat setting for 3 hours or the low-heat setting for 6 hours.
• Finish the soup. Using a blender or food processor, working in batches, process the squash mixture to a smooth puree. Return the soup to the slow cooker to keep warn until serving. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, garnish with a dollop of the sour cream and chives (or parsley) and serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring frequently, until crispy, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
• Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan and return the pan to medium heat. Add the onion, celery, bay leaf, chopped sage, the 4 teaspoons salt and the 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, just until the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in the potatoes, cover and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes.
• Add the wine and simmer, stirring to scrape up the browned bits, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes.
• Add the butternut squash puree and bacon and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the cream and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf and discard.
• Ladle the chowder into warmed bowls and garnish with sage leaves. Serve immediately.
• Making Squash Puree:.
• 2 butternut squash (about 3 3/4 pounds).
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cut each squash in half and discard the seeds. Bursh cut sides with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Arrange the squash cut side down on a rack placed in a baking tray and bake until tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Cool, scoop out the insides of the squash, and puree the flesh in a food processor. You should have about 4 cups or 32 ounces of pureed squash. Tip: You can freeze your squash puree to have on hand for other soups and recipes.

WILLIAMS-SONOMA WINTER SQUASH AND APPLE BISQUE

Steps:

• Peel and seed the butternut squash and cut into 2-inch chunks.
• Peel and core the apples and cut into 2-inch chunks.
• In a soup pot over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
• Saute the onion and shallots until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the apples and squash and cook until nicely coated, about 3 minutes longer.
• Add the stock and rosemary and bring to a simmer. Add the thyme.
• Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are very tender, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from the heat. Using a hand-held or standing blender, puree the soup until smooth.
• Stir in the half-and-half and season with salt and pepper.
• Reheat gently over medium-low heat.
• Ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish with the sour cream, using a fork to swirl a zig-zagged pattern.
• [you can garnish with leaves of rosemary and thyme].