Yellow Squash Soup

 Usually I think of yellow squash in the summer, but I also think about them when there is a hint of fall in the air and knowing winter is right on its heels.  I always start making soup and chill.  This soup is so easy and so delicious.  Last week I shared a post about a Breast Cancer Luncheon that my best friend Marcy and I hosted.   We served this soup with cheese straws on the side.  It was a big hit and so many wanted the recipe I thought I really should put it on the blog.  So here you go!!!  We also make this for 65 people for our Celebration Dinner for Apples of Gold.  So it works great to double or triple the recipe.  We have people tell us they don’t like squash but they really like this soup.  So make it and they will eat it!!!  If you are like me you are watching what you eat and trying to make some of your tried and true recipes more healthy.  I used coconut milk instead of whipping cream and saved a lot of fat. It did not change the texture or the taste.  You can also adjust the Cayenne pepper to your taste.  If you like it spicy/hot add more but remember you will be adding some paprika on the top.  I hope you will make this “warm me up” Yellow Squash Soup and make an extra batch to bring joy to someone you know.

Yellow Squash Soup

Servings: 10
Course: Soup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 2 carrots sliced, I used 2 cups pre-cut carrots
  • 4 cups yellow squash sliced, about 8 squash
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red (cayenne) pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup whipping cream, or 1 can coconut milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Paprika for garnish

Method
 

  1. In a 4-quart saucepan, melt butter
  2. Add onion, sauté until wilted and transparent, about 5 minutes
  3. Add potatoes, carrots and squash; toss to coat with butter
  4. Add flour all at once; stir to combine
  5. Cook over medium heat 3-4 minutes, stirring
  6. Slowly stir in broth
  7. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper
  8. Cover, cook until all vegetables are fork tender, about 45 minutes
  9. Puree soup in batches in blender, food processor or with immersion hand blender in the pot
  10. When all soup has been pureed, return to soup pot
  11. Stir in cream or coconut milk. Taste for seasonings, adjust if necessary
  12. Heat through
  13. Stir in nutmeg; cook 3 to 4 minutes
To Serve
  1. Ladle hot soup in bowls. Sprinkle paprika onto top of soup and use a spoon to gently stir through soup creating an attractive marble patter,

Notes

To Store:  Soup base (before cream is added)  may be pureed, cooled and frozen up to 1 month.  Thaw base in refrigerator, bring to boil.  Reduce heat, add cream.  Enjoy!

Brandied Mushroom Dip

"The Best I Ever Made"

“The Best I Ever Made”

Oh my, this is a good dip and out of the ordinary.  We first served it at Gourmet Club at our house when we did a French Menu.  We used it as a starter along with a Bacon and Leek Quiche.  The Quiche was a favorite of Julia Child.  I will share that recipe soon. The mushroom dip is hearty and it could be used for a light entrĂ©e if served with bread, cheese , crackers and some fruit.  Sounds like a picnic in the making.  Men really love this dip but I must say our friend Marcy said she could be just fine for dinner with this dip and the good crusty French Bread we served with it.  Of course, we all ate our share of Coquilles St. Jacques, buckwheat crepes with tomatoes and cream, squished potatoes and the best ever Crepes Suzettes with vanilla ice cream.  But, this is not about all that yummy French Food but this hearty mushroom dip.  I hope you will give it a try and invite your neighbors over, showing hospitality and spreading Joy.  

 

Saute Par-tay Gourmet Cooking Group:  We meet monthly during the fall and winter and cook together.  So much fun and fellowship with kindred spirits who love cooking  and eating good food.  We all cook!!!

Saute Par-tay Gourmet Cooking Group: We meet monthly during the fall and winter and cook together. So much fun and fellowship with kindred spirits who love cooking and eating good food. We all cook!!!

Coquilles St. Jacques - Scallops in a heavenly cream sauce served over mushrooms and shallots.  Buckwheat Crepes with Thyme Cream Tomatoes and Squished potatoes. Our French Gourmet Club dinner.

Our plater Cliff making our presentation look good. We served Coquilles St. Jacques – Scallops in a heavenly cream sauce served over mushrooms and shallots. Buckwheat Crepes with Thyme Cream Tomatoes and Squished potatoes.

Crepes Suzette - LIghting the Grand Marnier to flambe the crepes.

With the lights down low  Bill and I made the Crepes Suzettes with everyone watching. We lit the Grand Marnier to flambe the crepes. We managed not to catch anything on fire. Yeah!!! Really an easy and impressive dessert. I will be posting the recipe. You will want to impress your friends.

Mushrooms ready for chopping.  Tidbit Tip - If your chopping sheet does not have a slide proof bottom wet a paper towel and place under it.  This will keep it from sliding.

Mushrooms ready for chopping. Tidbit Tip – If your chopping board does not have a slide proof bottom wet a paper towel and place under it. This will keep it from sliding.

Finely chop mushrooms.  Tidbit Tip:  Use a Santoku knife to help the mushroom not to stick to the knife.  (My favorite knife)

Finely chop mushrooms. Tidbit Tip: Use a Santoku knife which helps the mushroom not stick to the knife. (Santoku is my favorite knife) See The Thursday Tidbit post on knives.

Saute onions and mushroom in butter about 5 minutes

Saute onions and mushroom in butter for about 5 minutes

Add red peppers, ham, parsley, Mrs. Dash, Worcestershire and red pepper flakes.  Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.

Add red peppers, ham, parsley, Mrs. Dash, Worcestershire and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 more minutes.

Brandied Mushroom Dip
 
Recipe Type: Appetizer
Cuisine: French
Author: Cissy Mathews
Hearty mushroom dip or light entrée.
Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped or 1 teaspoon onion powder (I used onion powder)
  • 1/2 pound mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, drained and finely chopped
  • 1/4 lb deli ham, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons Cognac (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons dry breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and then sauté onions and mushrooms for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add red peppers, ham, and parsley, Mrs. Dash, Worcestershire and red pepper flakes; cook for about 5 minutes. Add Cognac and stir until it has evaporated a bit, about 90 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled. We like it warm.
 
Notes
If using onion powder instead of raw onions; start recipe by sautéing mushrooms in the butter and add onion powder with other spices.[br][br][br]Serve with crusty French Bread, or crackers.[br]It is substantial enough to take along on a picnic as a light entrée, along with bread, cheese, strawberries and some good white wine. Pack a picnic and invite your family and friends and spread some Joy

 

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

I bet you have a recipe for Taco Soup.  This version is a blend of several recipes I have tried over the years.  Being snowed in for 3 days, not used to this, I am making several kinds of soup.   I will share the other recipes in other posts, one with hot turkey sausage, white beans and some spinach.  I made the Taco Soup first because it is really easy and it takes no time to brown the meat and dump it all together in the crock pot.  Hours later the house was smelling delicious and I was one “joyful cook” because dinner was done.  Even if you don’t use this recipe get yours out and make a pot of Taco Soup. ( why do kids love anything taco?)  I would love to hear your variations please leave a comment at the bottom of the post.  Enjoy!

 Optional: Top with sour cream, cheddar cheese and jalapeno.  

 It will be “The Best You Ever Made”

 

Taco Soup

Delicious and easy to make. Brown meat and put all ingredients into Crock Pot
Servings: 10

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 can kidney beans Drained
  • 1 can black beans Drained
  • 1 can pinto beans Drained
  • 1 package taco mix
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilies
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes Use Fire Roasted tomatoes to make it spicy
  • 1 can corn Drained
  • 1 package original ranch dressing mix
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cups water

Method
 

  1. Add ground beef and onion to skillet and cook until no longer pink.
  2. Open and drain all the beans and corn
  3. Dump in the crock pot, meat, beans, corn, and tomatoes
  4. Add to crock pot, 2 cups of water and the dry mixes (ranch and taco).
  5. Stir and cook on high for at least 2 hours–low heat for 4 hours

Notes

Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese and chopped jalapenos
Freeze any left overs in freezer safe containers.  Better still double the recipe and make sure you have some for freezing.  Always a good thing to have lunch/dinner ready in the freezer. 
 It will be “The Best You Ever Made”   Enjoy!