Chef John's Butternut Bisque

For a winter special occasion or just a weekday meal, this butternut squash soup recipe makes a perfect, warming starter course. The snipped chives and pomegranate garnishes add a festive touch, but you can also use crumbled bacon and a swirl of crème fraiche to top this bisque.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 231 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
• Chopped fresh chives for garnish
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste, divided
• 1 (2 pound) butternut squash
• ½ cup heavy cream or creme fraiche, plus more to garnish
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add onions and a large pinch of salt. Cook and stir until onions have softened but not taken on any color, about 10 or 15 minutes.

Step 2

Cut off ends of squash. Carefully cut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler. Cut into chunks.

Step 3

Raise heat under the pot to medium-high. Stir in tomato paste; cook and stir until mixture begins to caramelize and turn brown, about 2 minutes. Add squash, chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until squash is very tender, 15 to 25 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Blend with an immersion blender until very smooth. Stir in cream and maple syrup; add more salt if needed.

Step 4

Ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with a swirl of cream, and a sprinkle of chives and pomegranate seeds.