Ingredients
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3 tablespoons butter
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1 large onion, diced
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1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste, divided
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1 (2 pound) butternut squash
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2 tablespoons tomato paste
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1 quart chicken broth
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1 pinch cayenne pepper
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½ cup heavy cream or creme fraiche, plus more to garnish
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2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
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Chopped fresh chives for garnish
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Pomegranate seeds for garnish
Directions
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Melt butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add onions and a large pinch of salt. Cook and stir until onions have softened but not taken on any color, about 10 or 15 minutes.
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Cut off ends of squash. Carefully cut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler. Cut into chunks.
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Raise heat under the pot to medium-high. Stir in tomato paste; cook and stir until mixture begins to caramelize and turn brown, about 2 minutes. Add squash, chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until squash is very tender, 15 to 25 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Blend with an immersion blender until very smooth. Stir in cream and maple syrup; add more salt if needed.
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Ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with a swirl of cream, and a sprinkle of chives and pomegranate seeds.
Chef John
Chef's Notes
If I'd intended this bisque to be a main course, I would probably have roasted the squash first. When you roast butternut squash, you caramelize and concentrate the flesh, and get something sweeter, starchier, and richer. That's perfect if you're enjoying it as a meal, but maybe not such a great thing if it's going to be followed by additional courses.
If you don't have an immersion blender, you can blend the squash mixture in batches in a regular blender. Just be careful not to burn yourself.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
231 | Calories |
14g | Fat |
27g | Carbs |
3g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 6 | |
Calories 231 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 14g | 18% |
Saturated Fat 8g | 42% |
Cholesterol 46mg | 15% |
Sodium 1059mg | 46% |
Total Carbohydrate 27g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber 4g | 13% |
Total Sugars 10g | |
Protein 3g | 6% |
Vitamin C 35mg | 39% |
Calcium 100mg | 8% |
Iron 1mg | 8% |
Potassium 660mg | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.