Orange Scented Squash Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Cut a square piece of cheesecloth to make a bag for spices, herbs and orange peel. Place allspice berries, cardamom cloves, bay leaves, thyme sprigs and strips of orange zest on cheesecloth. Fold two ends over, then roll up the cheesecloth like a burrito and tie tightly with kitchen string.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add onion and carrots. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add winter squash and garlic and cook, stirring, until the mixture smells fragrant, about 1 minute. Add water or stock, potato, spice bag, and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour, until squash is very tender. Remove spice bag but first press it against side of the pot to extract liquid.
• Using a hand blender, or in batches in a regular blender, purée the soup. If using a regular blender cover the top of the jar with a towel pulled down tight, rather than airtight with the lid. Return to pot and whisk in the orange juice (or additional stock or water). Taste, adjust seasonings, and heat through.
• Toss quinoa with 1 teaspoon of the pistachio oil. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with some of the quinoa. Drizzle a little more oil over each bowl and serve.

Steps:

• Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add one tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
• When the butter has melted, add the onion and carrots and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Deglaze with the orange juice and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Don't let the vegetables stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor or a blender. Puree the mixture until it is smooth and then return it to the pot over medium heat.
• Add the frozen butternut squash puree and chicken broth and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil and then lower the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
• Grate some fresh nutmeg and stir to combine.
• Garnish with thyme and zest.

Steps:

• Spray a large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Sauté onion until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in spices; cook 1-2 minutes longer.
• Add water, squash, apple and orange rind to the saucepan; heat to boiling.
• Reduce heat and simmer, covered until squash is tender, 10-15 minutes.
• Process soup in a food processor or with a stick blender until smooth; add orange juice and half-and-half.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.
• Pour into bowls and top each with an orange slice and sprinkle with chives.