Every Day Chef Challenge – Autumn Bisque
In my last post, I shared with you my first Every Day Chef contest entry, Pumpkin Pie Parfaits. Today I will share with you a delicious holiday starter, Autumn Bisque.
Here is my inspiration for the recipe:
“I love cooking seasonally, and autumn is my favorite season. I adore the bright orange squashes that are so plentiful this time of year. We are hosting Thanksgiving this year, and I wanted to create a wonderful seasonal starter with delicious local vegetables, local beer and sharp cheddar cheese – all three things we are known for in terms of food culture here in Vermont.”
So yes, this delicious and creamy soup contains, vibrant orange winter squash, local beer, sharp cheddar cheese and BACON! So what’s not to love?
Recipe ingredients:
1 cup carrots cut into chunks (@ 2 small carrots)
3 cups red kuri squash, halved (@ 3 medium squashes)
Olive oil to drizzle
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 apple, cored, seeded and chopped (@ 1 small apple)
½ cup yellow onion, chopped (@ half of a small onion)
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced (@ 1 medium clove)
½ teaspoon sea salt
Dash of black pepper
¼ teaspoon of dried ginger
1 teaspoon coriander
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups Pacific Organic Free Range Chicken Broth
½ cup of gluten free ale (local is best!)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
2 strips of bacon, cooked and cut into pieces (optional garnish)
Cooking instructions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut the squashes in half and lay cut side up on a cookie sheet. Also place carrots on cookie sheet. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt and black pepper. Roast in the oven for about an hour, or until fork tender and slightly caramelized.
2) Scoop out the insides of the squash and set aside with the carrots.
3) Brown butter in the bottom of a large soup pot, over medium heat, sauté apples, onion and garlic until they browned – about 5 minutes. 3 minutes in add the salt and spices. Stir frequently.
4) Add Pacific Organic Free Range Chicken Broth, turn heat up, stir and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until apples are tender – about 5 minutes.
5) Add beer, squash puree, and carrots. Stir and heat through.
6) Add entire contents of pot to a blender. Puree in a blender; be careful not to burn yourself. Make sure the lid is on tight, and don’t do the whole thing at one time, unless you have a large capacity blender.
7) Carefully return contents to the soup pot, add the cheddar and lemon juice, and stir over low heat until incorporated.
8) Top with bacon crumbles if desired, serve immediately. Can also be reheated for later use.
9) Serves: 4 appetizer sized bowls.
Please click on this link to see the recipe and vote ! It only takes a second, you don’t need to register to vote, or anything. AND, you can vote everyday! So if you feel inspired and like both this recipe and the Pumpkin Pie Parfaits, you can vote for both, everyday until November 14th! Thank you so much!
Banana Wonder - November 7, 2011 at 11:59 am
Yuuuum! This soup has all my favorite Fall ingredients. I would like a big bowl and a big glass of beer to wash it down.
Rosa - November 7, 2011 at 12:31 pm
It looks fabulous! Squash are so versatile and delicious.
Cheers,
Rosa
Happy Cook / Finla - November 7, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Wowo that looks so so temptingly super delicious.
Nuria - November 8, 2011 at 5:48 am
Voted for your recipe and think that looks and must taste delicious! Sorry I’m not visiting as much as I wish but you are always on my thoughts and invited to my house and kitchen 😀
Sylvia@bascooking - November 8, 2011 at 5:58 am
Love it. yellow and red are the emblematic colors of autumn.Your soup looks pretty autumn and of course I will vote
bellini - November 8, 2011 at 10:02 am
U have voted Jenn!!!! Good luck in the contest!!!!!!!!
angela@spinachtiger - November 8, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Of course, it’s another winner! The cheese and bacon are a surprise!
Rainbow Zebra - November 9, 2011 at 3:08 am
Stunning food, your Autumn Bisque certainly would be a lovely, lovely lunch seeing as all I’ve got to eat at my office desk this lunchtime is a plain ole’ ham sandwich!
Actually any tips on how I can make a ham sandwich into something just that little bit special?? 🙂
Ben - November 9, 2011 at 9:46 am
Oh delicious!
ValleyWriter - November 10, 2011 at 12:03 am
This looks fantastic – rich, warm & hearty. Plus, how could anyone resist once you’ve added the BACON!! 😀