Butternut Squash Soup with Chipotle Cream (Marcela Valladolid) Recipe

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Using 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, grease the sliced surface of the squash and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast until very tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
3. In a large heavy pot over medium-high heat, add the remaining olive oil, onion, celery, and carrot, then season with a pinch of salt. Saute until just tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Scoop the butternut squash flesh into the pot and stir. Add 4 cups of the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup until very smooth. If necessary, add more of the remaining stock to create desired consistency. Mix in 2 teaspoons of the chipotle into the soup, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
5. In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of chipotle and the sour cream. Season the chipotle cream with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the soup to bowls. Top each with a dollop of chipotle cream and serve.
6. Cook's Notes: Serve this hearty bisque for dinner on a cool autumn night, or pour it into individual shot glasses for a savvy appetizer.
7. A chipotle chile is a smoked, dried jalapeno. They can be found dried, pickled or canned in adobo which is a sauce made with ground chiles, herbs, vinegar and spices. The sauce tends to be more mild than the chipotles themselves and can be used in place of them to reduce the heat in a dish. Dried or canned chipotles are easily found in most supermarkets.