Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple
Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple Recipe from New England
Introduction
Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple is a delicious and comforting soup that is perfect for the fall season. This recipe combines the rich flavors of roasted pumpkin, sherry, and cream with the sweetness of candied apples for a unique and satisfying dish.
History
Pumpkin soup has been a popular dish for centuries, with variations found in many different cultures around the world. The addition of sherry and candied apples adds a modern twist to this classic recipe, creating a dish that is both elegant and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced leeks
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 0.25 cup clarified butter
- 1 cup sherry
- 1 gallon roasted and peeled pumpkin
- 1 cup rice
- 1 gallon chicken stock
- 2 cups cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- pumpkin seeds
- apples
How to prepare
- Sauté all vegetables in clarified butter until they become translucent.
- Deglaze with sherry and reduce the mixture by half.
- Add chicken stock, rice, salt, pepper, and pumpkin.
- Cook until the rice is overcooked (very soft and mushy).
- Blend or process the mixture, then strain it through a sieve.
- Add cream just before reheating.
- Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds and julienned Granny Smith apples.
- To prepare the garnish, sauté the apples in butter and turbinado sugar until caramelized.
- Alternatively, you can add dumplings made with your favorite biscuits, incorporating chopped caramelized apples into the dough.
Variations
- For a vegan version, substitute coconut milk for the cream.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon for a warm and spicy flavor.
- Top with crumbled bacon for a savory twist.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Be sure to roast and peel the pumpkin before adding it to the soup for a deeper, richer flavor.
- When blending or processing the soup, be sure to strain it through a sieve to remove any lumps or chunks.
- Adding the cream just before reheating will ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
- Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds and caramelized apples for a beautiful presentation.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Cooking Techniques
Roasting the pumpkin adds depth of flavor to the soup.
- Sautéing the vegetables before adding the liquid enhances the overall taste.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock for a vegetarian option.
- Substitute butternut squash for the pumpkin for a different flavor profile.
Make Ahead Tips
This soup can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. Just be sure to add the cream just before reheating for the best texture.
Presentation Ideas
Garnish with a drizzle of sherry or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an elegant touch.
Pairing Recommendations
This soup pairs well with a crisp white wine or a hearty red blend.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
Calories: 300 per serving
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates: 30g per serving
Fats
Total Fat: 15g per serving
Proteins
Protein: 5g per serving
Vitamins and minerals
This soup is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium.
Alergens
This recipe contains dairy (cream) and nuts (pumpkin seeds).
Summary
This soup is a good source of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. It is a satisfying and nutritious meal option.
Summary
Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for the fall season. With rich flavors and a creamy texture, this soup is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
How did I get this recipe?
I vividly recall the moment I first laid eyes on this recipe for Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple. It was a crisp autumn day, the leaves had just started to turn shades of orange and red, and the air was filled with the comforting scent of cinnamon and nutmeg. I was visiting my dear friend Evelyn, who was known far and wide for her delicious soups.
As I walked into Evelyn's cozy kitchen, I was greeted by the sight of her standing over a simmering pot, stirring in fragrant spices and tasting as she went along. She turned to me with a twinkle in her eye and said, "I've got something special planned for lunch today. Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple. It's a recipe my grandmother passed down to me, and it's always been a crowd-pleaser."
I watched in awe as Evelyn gracefully moved around the kitchen, adding a splash of sherry here, a pinch of salt there, and finally topping off the soup with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The finished product was a beautiful golden hue, with swirls of orange and red from the pumpkin and spices.
After taking my first spoonful of the soup, I knew I had to learn how to make it myself. Evelyn was kind enough to share her recipe with me, and she even walked me through the steps, pointing out little tips and tricks along the way.
The first step in making the soup was to roast a small sugar pumpkin until it was soft and caramelized. Evelyn explained that roasting the pumpkin would bring out its natural sweetness and give the soup a depth of flavor that couldn't be achieved by simply boiling it.
Next, we sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger in butter until they were soft and fragrant. The kitchen filled with the warm aroma of the spices, and I felt a sense of contentment wash over me.
Then came the fun part – deglazing the pan with a generous splash of sherry. As the alcohol sizzled and evaporated, the rich, complex flavors of the sherry melded with the sweet pumpkin and savory onions, creating a symphony of taste and aroma.
After adding in some chicken broth and letting the soup simmer for a while, Evelyn showed me how to use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until it was smooth and velvety. The soup took on a creamy texture, with a rich, earthy flavor that was unlike anything I had ever tasted before.
But the pièce de résistance of the dish was the candied apple garnish. Evelyn taught me how to make a simple syrup with sugar and water, then dip thinly sliced apples into the syrup and let them dry until they formed a shiny, sugary coating. The candied apples added a crunchy, sweet contrast to the smooth soup, and they were a delightful finishing touch.
As I sat down to enjoy a bowl of Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendship and generosity of Evelyn. She had not only shared her cherished recipe with me but had also taken the time to teach me how to make it with love and care.
Since that day, Sherried Pumpkin Soup with Candied Apple has become a staple in my own kitchen. I make it every autumn, when the leaves start to fall and the air turns crisp, as a way to honor the memory of Evelyn and the special bond we shared over a steaming bowl of soup. And each time I take that first spoonful, I am transported back to that magical day in Evelyn's kitchen, where I learned the true power of a good recipe and the joy of sharing it with others.
Categories
| Apple Recipes | Chicken Stock And Broth Recipes | Clarified Butter Recipes | Granny Smith Apple Recipes | Leek Recipes | New England Recipes | New England Soups | Pumpkin Recipes | Pumpkin Seed Recipes |