Skip to main content

Pumpkin Soup with Sage Croutons

1 carrot, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 rib of celery
1 tsp crumbled dried sage
1/2 bay leaf
2 TBS unsalted butter
a 1 lb. can pumpkin puree
4 1/2 cups canned chicken broth
2 slices of homemade-type white bread, buttered lightly and the crusts removed
6 very small fresh sage leaves garnish if desired

In a kettle cook the carrot, the onion, and the celery with 3.4 tsp of the sage, the bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, stir in the pumpkin, and stir in 4 cups of the broth, a little at a time. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and in a blender puree the mixture in batches until very smooth. Return the soup to the kettle, bring it to a simmer, stirring in enough of the remaining 1/2 cup broth to thin it to the desired consistency, and season it with salt and pepper.

While the soup is cooking, cut each slice of bread into 4 squares and halve each square diagonally to form triangles. Arrange the triangles on a baking sheet, dab them with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon sage, and bake the the croutons in a preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes, or until they are golden.

Ladle the soup into heated bowls and garnish it with the croutons and the sage leaves if desired. Makes about 6 cups, serving 6.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Baked Eggplant Parmesan Stacks from Skinnytaste Fast and Slow

Serves 4 olive oil spray 2 lg. eggplants 1/2 t kosher salt ground pepper 1 c part-skim ricotta 3/4 c shredded part-skim mozzarella 1/2 c freshly grated pecorino cheese 3 T finely chopped fresh basil 1 1/2 c marinara sauce 32 (or more) baby spinach leaves Preheat oven to 450.  Spray 2 baking sheets with oil. Slice each eggplant crosswise into 12 1/2 inch thick rounds (to get approx 24 rounds total.)  Arrange eggplant onto baking sheets.  Lightly spritz both sides with olive oil and season with s & p. Bake until golden brown on both sides (8-10 mins approx) on each side.  Transfer all but the 8 biggest pieces onto a plate. Meanwhile, combine ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino and basil. Make stacks by ladling 1 T marinara onto each of the eggplant slices.  Top with 1 T cheese mixture and spinach leaves.  Repeat layers. Bake until cheese is melted 8-10 mins.

Curtis Stone's Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork with Sage and Capers

Serves 4 Work: 20 minutes Total: 35 minutes Ingredients 4 1/2-inch-thick boneless center-cut pork chops (6 ounces each) 1 teaspoon kosher salt Ground black pepper 4 slices prosciutto 3 tablespoons olive oil 12 sage leaves 2 tablespoons drained capers 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 6-ounce bag baby spinach leaves Directions 1. Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Season pork with salt and pepper and wrap a slice of prosciutto around each chop's center. 2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chops and cook until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Place on a rimmed baking sheet in the oven to keep warm. Do not wipe out the skillet. 3. Add 1 tablespoon oil and the sage leaves to the skillet and cook for 1 minute over medium-high heat; remove sage. Remove pan from heat and whisk in the capers, butter, lemon juice, and zest. Transfer sauce to a dish. 4. Add spinach to the pan and cook until it wilts, about 2 m