~ It's Fall Y'all .....

....well, at least it will be on Sunday.

Fall.  My favorite season.

For so many reasons.

One of them being Butternut Squash Bisque.

At the first sign of crisp fall air, apple cider and apple cider donuts

I get the urge to make Butternut Squash Bisque.

The original recipe was found here allrecipes

Although it was yummy,

I decided to doctor it up a bit.

So, get that apron on ... pull out your soup pot and let's get started!

~~~~~

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat.

Throw in 1/2 cup (or more) of diced onion and cook until tender.

Throw in about half a small bag of baby carrots and 4 cups

of peeled and cubed butternut squash.

Now, I have struggled with peeling and cubing that bad boy

soooooooooooo

I now buy the squash already peeled and cubed.

I KNOW, RIGHT!!!!!

Now, here's where I changed it up a little.

I also add 2 small or 1 large Cortland apple (peeled and cut)

and 1 large sweet potato (peeled and cut).

Then pour in 3 to 4 cups of stock. 

This recipe calls for vegetable stock.

I've also made it with chicken stock or beef stock.

I really didn't notice much of a difference in the taste.

Oh!  And season with salt and pepper (to taste)

aaaaaaannnnnddddd

nutmeg (to taste)!

Yup!  Nutmeg!

 

Bring this to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer until everything becomes tender.

I know, it looks mushy .... but that's okay.

 

Now, remove the pot from the stove and grab your hand blender (or food processor)

and puree the heck out of it ... until it looks smooth and thick.

I usually find that using my left hand to control the hand blender

allows me to use my right hand to ....

wipe down the splatters I just made....

or sip on a glass of wine....

or make a phone call....

or wave to the neighbor....

Okay.....now that that's all pureed,

return the pot to the stove and stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream (optional).

Stir and heat (but don't boil).

♫ Ta-da ♪

You are done!!!!

Get yourself a cup (or bowl), fill it up with the Butternut Squash Bisque,

add a little (or a lot) of nutmeg,

tear apart some French bread and dig in!!!!

Huh?  Huh??

Is that good or what? 

~~~~~~

Okay, so while you're eating that

let me tell you about this week's

Random 5

with Nancy:

 

1.  I don't particularly like to cook ... I KNOW, RIGHT???

You'd think with the above masterpiece that I would be a chef!!!!

NOT!!!

 

2.  I don't like grocery shopping ...

.

3.  .... and I tend to buy crap stuff even if we don't need it.

Why do I do that?  Why did I need to purchase that jar of applesauce?

So I could place it next to the two jars I already have?

 

4.  I cannot pass a craft store.  I have to go in.

I'm like a dog marking my territory ... up and down every aisle.

Sniffing everything.  

I need to get a grip!

 

5.  I do love a bargain.  And coupons.

And saying "I couldn't afford NOT to buy it."

What does that mean????

LOL

 

♥