Southwestern Squash Soup Recipe 445

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub all over with 1 teaspoon olive oil and season the cut sides with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast until very tender, about 30 minutes (a fork should easily pierce the skin). Set aside until cool enough to handle, then scoop out the squash into a bowl and discard the skin.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the tortilla pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the carrots, red onion, chile, garlic, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the onion has softened, about 4 minutes.
• Add the roasted squash, broth and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the carrots are very tender, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth; return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.) Add up to 1 cup water if the soup is too thick and reheat if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with toppings.

Steps:

• 1) Push the squash through the juicer. Set aside 1 cup of the juice. 2) In a blender or food processor, combine 1/4 cup black beans with the mineral water and blend until you have a smooth puree. Set aside the puree. 3) In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the squash juice and black bean puree. Mix thoroughly. 4) Add can tomatoes, rest of the black beans, basil, jalapeno peppers, and chopped cilantro and simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes. 5) Serve hot or cold, garnish with sour cream and tortilla chips.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, brown pork and onion in oil; drain. Transfer to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat is tender.

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Toss squash, shallots, oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in large bowl, then arrange in single layer in large roasting pan. Roast, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are golden brown and softened, about 45 minutes. Add ½ cup broth to pan and scrape up any browned bits with wooden spoon. Return to oven and cook until liquid has reduced and vegetables are glazed, about 5 minutes. 2. Working in 2 batches, puree squash mixture and remaining broth in blender until smooth. Transfer pureed squash mixture to large saucepan and stir in honey, lime juice, cumin, and cream. Bring soup to simmer over medium-low heat, adding ¼ cup water at a time as necessary to adjust consistency. Just prior to serving, stir in cilantro and chiles. Serve with dollop of sour cream, if desired. (Soup can be refrigerated in airtight container for 3 days.)

Steps:

• Select saute setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker and adjust for medium heat; add oil. When oil is hot, cook and stir pork and onion in oil until browned. Press cancel. Stir in remaining ingredients. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 3 minutes. Quick-release pressure. (A thermometer inserted into pork should read at least 145°.)

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine the first nine ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. , Sprinkle individual servings with cheese. Serve with tortilla chips if desired.

Steps:

• Lightly grease a large casserole dish. Arrange the squash, onions, and red bell pepper in the dish. Place in the microwave, and cook on High 10 minutes, stirring once, until tender.
• Gently mix the mushrooms, green chile peppers, jalapeno peppers, cheese, and sour cream into the dish. Sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips. Cover dish, and cook in the microwave 10 minutes on Medium-high power, or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through.