Brie's Butternut Squash Bisque

After one of her favorite restaurants refused to divulge the recipe for its velvety butternut squash and apple soup, Brie Tennis came pretty close with her own version.

Yield: Makes 2 quarts; 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 1/2  pounds  butternut squash
• 3  sweet apples, such as Golden Delicious (about 1 1/4 lb. total)
• 3  cups  fat-skimmed chicken broth
• 1/2  cup  dry white wine
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground nutmeg
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground ginger
• 1/8  teaspoon  hot chili flakes
• Salt and pepper
• 3  tablespoons  minced fresh chives

Preparation

1. Rinse squash; cut in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place halves cut side down in a 12- by 17-inch baking pan. Peel, halve, and core apples; add to pan, along with 1/4 cup water.

2. Bake in a 400° regular or convection oven until squash and apples are tender when pierced, about 45 minutes. When cool enough to handle, scoop flesh of squash from peels; discard peels.

3. In a blender or food processor, in batches if necessary, whirl squash, apples, and broth until smooth. Pour purée into a 3- to 4-quart pan. Add wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and chili flakes. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, to blend flavors, about 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4. Ladle soup into wide bowls and garnish with chives.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

224 (2.8% from fat)

Protein:

8.6g

Fat:

0.7g (sat 0.1)

Carbohydrate:

46g

Fiber:

6.7g

Sodium:

67mg

Cholesterol:

0.0mg