Soup Night- October 2010

Last night we got together to make two fabulous soups. Perfect for Fall. Thanks so much to Lori Oehler for hosting.  

Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients 

12 1/2 cups (or more) canned low-salt 

chicken broth 

1 1/4 cups wild rice (about 7 1/2 ounces) 

6 1/4 cups frozen corn kernels (about 2 1/2 

pounds) thawed 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 

10 ounces fully cooked smoked sausage 

(such as kielbasa), cut into 1/2-inch cubes 

3 carrots, peeled, diced 

2 medium onions, chopped 

1 1/2 cups half and half 

Preparation 

Bring 5 cups broth to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add wild rice and 

simmer until all liquid evaporates and rice is almost tender, stirring occasionally, about 40 

minutes. 

Meanwhile, blend 3 3/4 cups corn and 1 1/2 cups chicken broth in processor until thick, almost 

smooth puree forms. Heat vegetable oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 

sausage and sauté until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add carrots and onions and stir 3 

minutes. Add remaining 6 cups chicken broth and bring soup to simmer. Reduce heat to low 

and simmer soup 15 minutes. 

Add cooked wild rice, corn puree and remaining 2 1/2 cups corn kernels to soup. Cook until 

wild rice is very tender and flavors blend, about 15 minutes longer. Mix in half and half. Thin 

soup with more chicken broth, if desired. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. (Soup can 

be prepared 2 days ahead. Refrigerate until cold; cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm soup 

over medium-low heat before continuing.) 

Butternut Squash Soup with Cider Cream and Gruyère Croutons

ingredien5 tablespoons butter

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 2 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 6 cups)
• 2 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)
• 1/2 cup chopped peeled carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried sage leaves
• 5 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 2/3 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• Chopped fresh chives
• 
  

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add squash, leeks, carrot and celery; sauté until slightly softened, about 15 minutes. Mix in apples, thyme and sage. Add stock and 1 cup cider and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until apples are tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly.

Working in batches, purée soup in blender. Return soup to pan. Boil remaining 1/2 cup cider in heavy small saucepan until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Cool. Place sour cream in small bowl. Whisk in reduced cider. (Soup and cider cream can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)

Bring soup to simmer. Mix in whipping cream. Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle with cider cream. Top with chives.

Croutons
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
24 1/4-inch-thick baguette bread slices
1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

For croutons:
Preheat broiler. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange bread, buttered side up, on baking sheet. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Turn over. Sprinkle cheese, the