Imagine a velvety smooth soup that captures the essence of winter's warmth, swirling with rich, creamy textures and a delicate chive accent. This winter bisque isn't just a recipe—it's a culinary experience that transforms humble butternut squash into a gourmet masterpiece. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a soul-warming meal, this French-inspired bisque promises to elevate your winter dining with its elegant simplicity and incredible depth of flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chives, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Peel and cube the butternut squash, chop the onion, and finely chop the chives. Set aside.
- In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Once the onion is softened, add the cubed butternut squash to the pot. Stir well to combine with the onion and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the squash to start to soften.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, ensuring that the squash is fully submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
- Once the squash is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the soup in batches to a countertop blender, but be sure to let it cool slightly before blending.
- After blending, return the soup to the pot (if using a countertop blender) and stir in the heavy cream. Place the pot back on low heat and warm the bisque gently, being careful not to let it boil.
- While the bisque is warming, prepare the chive cream swirl. In a small bowl, mix the chopped chives with a few tablespoons of the heavy cream. Stir until well combined.
- Season the bisque with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as necessary to enhance the flavors.
- To serve, ladle the warm bisque into bowls. Drizzle a swirl of the chive cream mixture on top of each serving, and garnish with additional chives if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious winter bisque with chive cream swirl, perfect for warming up on a cold day!
Tips
- Choose a ripe butternut squash with deep orange color for maximum sweetness and flavor intensity.
- Use an immersion blender for the smoothest possible texture, but if using a standard blender, blend in small batches and let the soup cool slightly to prevent splashing.
- For extra richness, consider roasting the butternut squash and onions before blending to develop deeper caramelized notes.
- The chive cream swirl is crucial—make it just before serving to maintain its fresh, vibrant green color and delicate flavor.
- If you prefer a thinner consistency, gradually add more vegetable broth. For a thicker bisque, reduce the liquid or add a small amount of cream.
- This bisque freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep and busy winter nights.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 80mg
