Benoit's Pumpkin Soup

By Executive Chef Pierre Schaedelin
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ lbs pumpkin
• 1 onion
• 1 leek
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/3 cup whipping cream, chilled
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Procedure:

1.       Discard the pumpkin seeds and fibers. Peel the pumpkin with a large knife and discard the skin. Cut the pulp into small pieces.

2.       Peel the onion and cut it into thin strips. Trim the leeks and outer leaves of the leek, and cut off the hard green parts. Wash the leek and slice it into thin strips.

3.       Heat the olive oil in a round Le Creuset pot (essentially an oval Dutch Oven.) Add 4 teaspoons butter. Add the onion and leek and cook over gentle heat for 3 minutes.

4.       Add the pieces of pumpkin to the pot, then the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cover the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes.

5.       Purée the contents of the pot in a food processor. Return to heat and whisk in the rest of the butter. Check the seasoning.

6.       Whip the cream and whisk it into the soup just before serving.

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