Golden Winter Soup

Leeks and potatoes provide the base for this hearty vegetable soup, and butternut squash adds a hint of sweetness. Gruyère toasts add a salty note.

Yield 8 servings

Ingredients

* 2 tablespoons butter
* 5 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
* 2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled russet potato (about 12 ounces)
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 2 cups sliced leek (about 2 medium)
* 4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
* 1 cup half-and-half
* 12 ounces baguette, cut into 16 slices
* 3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese
* 3 tablespoons chopped chives
* Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Preparation

Preheat broiler.

Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add squash, potato, salt, and pepper to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Add leek; sauté 1 minute. Stir in broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender, stirring occasionally. Place half of potato mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining potato mixture. Stir in half-and-half. Cover and keep warm.

Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet; sprinkle evenly with cheese. Broil bread slices 2 minutes or until golden. Ladle 1 cup soup into each of 8 bowls; top each serving with about 1 teaspoon chives. Serve 2 bread slices with each serving. Garnish with freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

Wine note: This is one vegetable soup that can easily handle a lighter red wine. Stick with the French theme and look for bargains from Burgundy, like Louis Jadot Pinot Noir 2005 ($20). This wine has pretty red berry fruit, great balance, and gentle tannins that make it ideal for lower-fat dishes. The underlying earthy, leathery flavors bring out the rustic nuances of the potatoes and squash. —Jeffery Lindenmuth

Nutritional Information

Calories: 329 (30% from fat)
Fat: 10.9g (sat 6.2g,mono 3g,poly 0.9g)
Protein: 12.8g
Carbohydrate: 46.7g
Fiber: 4.8g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Iron: 3.2mg
Sodium: 813mg
Calcium: 217mg

Barbara Kafka, Cooking Light, JANUARY 2008

Golden Beet Soup

Serves 8.

6 T (3/4 stick) pareve margarine
9 1/2-inch diameter golden beets, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (8 to 9 cups), green tops reserved
4 1/2 cups chopped onions
4 tsp minced peeled fresh ginger
1 T finely grated lemon peel
6 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth
2 to 3 T fresh lemon juice

Melt margarine in large pot over medium heat. Add beets, onions, ginger, and lemon peel. Cover; cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 6 cups broth and bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat and simmer until beets are very tender, 1 hour. Remove from heat; let stand 20 minutes.

Puree soup in blender in batches until smooth. Return puree to pot. Add 2 T lemon juice to soup and thin with more broth., if desired. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice.

Slice enough beet greens to measure 3/4 cup. Microwave greens 1 minute to wilt; place in blender. Add 3/4 cup soup; puree greens until smooth.

do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover soup and puree separately; chill. Rewarm both separately before using.

Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle some of greens puree over soup and serve.

From Bon Appetit, December 2007