Leek Delicata Squash Soup With Caramelized Apple Croutons Recipes

DELICATA CREAMY SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place the squash, cut sides down, in a baking dish. Add 1/8 inch water in baking dish, cover with foil and bake 35-40 minutes or until tender. Cool.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until onion is softened but not brown.
• Scrape the squash out of the flesh and add to onions. Add the stock and heavy cream. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

LEEK & DELICATA SQUASH SOUP WITH CARAMELIZED APPLE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly and gently scrape or cut squash away from skin (delicata skin is edible, but not tasty in this dish). Set aside.
• Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add leeks and thyme and stir occasionally until soft and brown, 10-15 minutes. Stir in the stock and the squash and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Using an immersion hand blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth. (Alternatively, puree the soup in batches in a standard blender or food processor).
• Season with salt and pepper & top with sour cream and caramelized apple croutons
• To make the croutons:.
• Peel and core apple and halve lengthwise. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, cut apple into very thin slices. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread one layer of apple slices on top. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake slices for 20 minutes at 350 degrees until crisp.
• Transfer to cooling racks and let cool completely.

SQUASH & LEEK SOUP

Steps:

• Cut squash into half lengthwise, clean out seeds and place skin up on a baking dish, bake at 400 for about 45 minute allow to cool, peel off skin and cut into large chunks.
• In a large pot, saute the onions, ginger, leeks, and garlic in the butter until soft.
• Add the chicken stock, and wine (if using,or increase chicken stock) and simmer about 20 minute.
• Transfer to a large bowl or measuring cup.
• Fill blender or food processer with 1/2 stock and 1/2 squash.
• (This took me 3 batches) Puree.
• Return to pot and add salt, pepper to taste.
• Simmer about 20 minute Freezes well.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP WITH GRUYERE CROUTONS

Steps:

• For soup:.
• Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, all squash and herbs; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes.
• Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Return soup to same pot. Stir in cream and sugar; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.).
• For croutons:.
• Preheat broiler. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange bread, buttered side up, on baking sheet. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Turn over. Sprinkle cheese, then thyme and sage over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with croutons and serve.

BUTTERNUT SOUP WITH CRISPY SAGE & APPLE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and fry for 5 mins. Add the garlic and squash, and cook for 5 mins more. Pour in the Madeira and stock, stir in the chopped sage, then cover and simmer for 20 mins until the squash is tender.
• Blitz with a hand blender or in a food processor until completely smooth. Allow to cool in the pan, then chill until ready to serve. Will keep for 2 days or freeze for 3 months. To make the crispy sage, heat some oil (a depth of about 2cm) in a small pan, then drop in the sage leaves until they are crisp - you will need to do this in batches. Drain on kitchen paper. Will keep for several hours.
• Just before serving, reheat the soup in a pan. The texture should be quite thick and velvety, but thin it with a little stock if it is too thick.
• For the apple croutons, heat the oil in a large pan, add the apple and fry until starting to soften. Sprinkle with the sugar and stir until lightly caramelised.
• To serve, ladle the soup into small bowls and top with the apple, sage and a grinding of black pepper.