Pumpkin Apple Bisque (Jill Bauer QVC)

By peridot728

Ingredients

• Preparation:
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 4 red apples, diced (like McIntosh)
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 2 quarts chicken stock
• 2-1/2 cups canned pumpkin
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cream
• Sour cream (optional garnish)
• Fresh chives (optional garnish)

Preparation

Step 1

In a large pot, cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate and add the butter, apples, carrots, onion, celery, and garlic to the pan with the bacon grease. Cook until soft.

Add the wine, cider, and stock. Add the pumpkin puree and herbs; simmer for one hour. Puree the soup in a blender. (The Vitamix works great for this or use an immersion blender.)

Add the cream and finish with salt and pepper, if needed. Top it off with a small dollop of sour cream and snipped chives, if desired.