Pumpkin Soup
San Francisco chef David Bazirgan makes a seasonal pumpkin soup with Martha.
Prepare the Pumpkin Soup: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Coat each with 1 tablespoon butter, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon water. Season flesh of pumpkins generously with salt; place cut-side down on sheet. Roast until tender, 30 to 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions; cook until translucent. Add garlic, curry, and nutmeg; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Set aside.
When pumpkin is cool enough to handle, using a spoon, scrape flesh from skin into Dutch oven. Stir in stock, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce to a simmer, and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Cranberry Compote: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water, cranberries, sugar, zest, and salt; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cooking until it reaches a jam-like consistency, about 20 minutes.
Prepare the Roasted Chestnuts: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place chestnuts on a baking sheet; roast until shells split, 5 to 10 minutes. Let stand until cool.
Shell nuts, and slice thinly. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add chestnuts, and cook until browned over low heat. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Blend soup using an immersion blender or in batches in a blender. Over a large bowl, strain through a fine mesh strainer; set strainer over pot, strain again. Whisk in cream, and season with salt and pepper.
To serve, ladle soup into 6 warmed bowls. Garnish with a dollop of cranberry compote and a sprinkling of chestnuts; serve immediately.
I watched the show where this soup was featured, and I loved the idea. I used this recipe for my Thanksgiving dinner, and I hated absolutely everything about it. Taste was poor, it was labor intense and not worth the effort.
I love pumpkin, but this recipe took the life out of it, and even cranberry compote didn't save the day