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Potato Artichoke Bisque & Support for Sandy Victims

08.11.2012 15 Comments

As we leave the most divisive election in modern history, we need to remember that we are still a Nation. One Nation, Under God, Indivisible by politics, that comes together to help others.

(Photo, AP:  Frank Franklin)

Red state or blue, that is what we are. We are also a Nation that loves to help, feels an obligation to lend a hand, lift up others when we have the opportunity. We are a Nation in which everyone of  us have had the "do you give your spare change to the homeless"  debate, because regardless of the answer we all have felt the a conflict in walking away without handing something over to someone in need.

We are a society of people who have even felt selfish in giving because it makes us feel good. Because we want to help others.

(Photo: AP Spencer Platt)

We are not a nation that spends our precious moments on this earth angry because of which of the  good-hearted, great men was chosen to lead this amazing Nation. At least that is what I need to believe. I see so much good in you,  America.

I see that huge heart that breaks when you see others in need. And no matter where your bed is tonight, remember those who are without one.

This post is dedicated to all of the victims of hurricane Sandy, from Jamaica, to Cuba, to Haiti, to New Jersey to New York.

To all of the more than 110 lives that were lost in the USA, and the 71 lost in the Caribbean.

For the more than 55 billion dollars of damage the storm did.

This post is so little, in the face of that. But like you, America, I want to help. And if I could, I would make every person affected by the storm a big bowl of soup, and listen to their story and hope that I did someone some good.

 Click on the picture to give to Red Cross to assist in their efforts to help:

This post was part of a blog event put on my Creative Culinary.

Other ways to give:

 

 

Potato Artichoke Bisque

Ingredients

  • 2 tbs butter
  • 1 leek, chopped (white and very light green parts only)
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbs white wine
  • 4 cups broth (either chicken or vegetable)
  • 4 cups red potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cups artichoke hearts, divided
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 cup cream

Instructions

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks and shallots, sautee until soft and slightly caramelized, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and stir. Add the wine, scraping to deglaze the pot.
  2. Add the broth, potatoes, and only 1 cup of the artichoke hearts. Cover and allow to simmer (adjust heat if necessary) until potatoes are fork tender, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, belnd until smooth.
  3. Add pepper chili powder and cream, stir until combined. Salt to taste.
  4. Chop remaining artichoke hearts.
  5. Pour into 4 bowls, garnish with chopped artichoke hearts.

(Yields 4 servings)

 

Creamy Butternut Soup With Pomegranate and Goat Cheese

15.10.2012 34 Comments

I’m so excited to share this with you. It is my favorite soup right now, and one of my favorite recipes so far this year.

It’s interesting to see which posts get tons and tons of traffic and which ones get ignored, because really, you never know. My highest trafficked post isn’t even in my top twenty favorites.

My most popular post, Inside Out Caramel Apples, makes me cringe a bit. Although it has been pinned about 200,000 times and shared on Facebook and Twitter thousands more, I don’t really love it. It was posted about a year ago, and there seems to be mixed results with success. As a blogger, that’s hard. I want everyone to have a home run every time they make the recipe, and that one seems to be hit or miss. I hate that. And I hate that I have no idea why it fails for some people, and works for others.

And sometimes, the recipes that I love and can’t wait to share, get ignored. You just never know what is going to be a runaway pinterest hit, and what is going to get nothing more than a passing glance.

But this soup, I LOVE this soup, and I hope you do too.

 

Seriously, I’m going to make it again this week.

Creamy Butternut Soup With Pomegranate and Goat Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 1 large (or two small) butternut squash
  • 2 shallot, minced
  • 3 tbs olive oil
  • 2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cup water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • pinch cayenne
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 3 oz crumbled goat cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. Cut the tip of the head of garlic, exposing the tops of the cloves. Place on a small sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tbs olive oil. Fold foil around garlic to form a tight package.
  3. Cut the butternut squash in half. Scoop out the seeds. Place on a baking sheet. Place garlic package on the baking sheet as well.
  4. Roast at 425 for 25 minutes, remove the garlic and allow to cool. Continue to roast the butternut squash for an additional 20 to 30 minutes (45 to 55 minutes total) or until flesh is soft and easy to scoop out.
  5. Scoop out flesh (should be about 5 cups) and puree in a food processor until smooth.
  6. In a large pot or dutch oven, add the shallots and olive oil over medium heat. Caramelize the shallots over medium heat, stirring occasional, for about 10 minutes, or until a dark golden brown. Don’t cook over high heat or the shallots will burn.
  7. Add the chicken broth, water, butternut puree, salt, pepper and cayenne. Squeeze the soft garlic head until the cloves push out (should be soft and mushy) add cloves to the soup. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and to maintain a simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat, add cream and stir.
  9. Scoop into bowls, garnish with pomegranate and goat cheese.

Makes 6 servings.