Baked Squash Soup With Cheddar Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
| 2 medium-size butternut or acorn squash (1 1/2 pounds) | ||
| 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper, or to taste | ||
| Vegetable oil | 1 Teaspoon | |
| 4 shallots, finely chopped (1/2 cup) | ||
| White wine or water | 1/4 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| 1/4 cup Chicken Stock or low-sodium chicken broth | ||
| Skim milk | 1 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Italian bread slice | 4 | |
| Gruyere cheese | 1 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives or minced parsley (optional) | ||
Directions
1 Preheat the oven to 400°F. Halve the squash lengthwise and sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until tender. Scoop the squash from the shells and transferthe pulp to a food processor or blender. Set aside. Discard the shells.
2 In a small saucepan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the shallots and saute, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add the wine and cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes or until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Stir in the stock, milk, and remaining V& teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the mixture to the food processor with the squash; whirl until pureed, working in batches if necessary.
3 Divide half of the soup among four 1 1/2-cup ovenproof bowls or baking dishes or a 2-quart casserole. Place a slice of bread on top of each portion, then sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Top with the remaining soup and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Set the bowls on a baking sheet and bake the soup for 25 minutes or until bubbling. If you like, run the soup briefly under a preheated broiler to brown the cheese, then sprinkle with the chives if desired.
2 In a small saucepan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the shallots and saute, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add the wine and cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes or until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Stir in the stock, milk, and remaining V& teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the mixture to the food processor with the squash; whirl until pureed, working in batches if necessary.
3 Divide half of the soup among four 1 1/2-cup ovenproof bowls or baking dishes or a 2-quart casserole. Place a slice of bread on top of each portion, then sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Top with the remaining soup and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Set the bowls on a baking sheet and bake the soup for 25 minutes or until bubbling. If you like, run the soup briefly under a preheated broiler to brown the cheese, then sprinkle with the chives if desired.
Chef
