Recipe: New England Butternut Bisque

NEW ENGLAND BUTTERNUT BISQUE

FOR THE SEASONING MIX:
3 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
FOR THE SOUP:
1 large or 2 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and all membrane removed
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
5 cups chicken stock, or canned Chicken broth
3 cups heavy whipping cream
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Combine the seasoning mix ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl. Makes 5 tablespoons.

Grate enough of the squash on the large holes of a hand grater to yield 3 cups. Cut half the remaining squash into small dice, half into medium dice-there should be about 2 cups small dice and 2 cups medium dice. Set the diced squash aside.

Melt the butter in a large heavy pot over high heat. When the butter sizzles, add the onion, celery, and the grated squash, and cook, occasionally scraping the bottom of the pot, about 13 to 15 minutes.

Stir in 4 Tablespoons of the seasoning mix and cook, scraping the pot bottom once or twice, 3 to 4 minutes. Add chicken stock, the diced squash, and the remaining seasoning mix. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, scraping the bottom of the pot from time to time, until the squash has disintegrated somewhat, about 40 minutes.

Turn up the heat to high and stir in the cream. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley.

Makes about 9 cups