The Best of Autumn Soups

When autumn wind goes running
It does some magic things.
It gives the shadows dancing shoes
It gives the bright leaves wings
When autumn wind goes running

A Maine House Mosaic

It curls the bonfire's tail of smoke
And shares a little whispered joke
With cornstalks who delight to prattle
It turns a seed pod into a rattle
When autumn wind goes running

Estelle's Potato Cheese Soup

8 medium baking potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 cup finely chopped carrots

1 cup finely chopped celery

½ cup finely chopped onion

4 cups chicken broth (32 0z)

3 cups half and half

1 t. salt

1 t. pepper

2 cups Velveeta cheese

In a large dutch oven, cook the potatoes, carrots, celery and onion in the chicken broth over medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Stir in the half and half, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir until heated through. Add the cheese and stir until melted.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

WITH CINNAMON WHIPPED CREAM AND FRIED SHALLOTS

Olive oil

1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 large or 2 small carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2-inch dice

2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice

2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped 

 Kosher salt

1 large butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1- inch cubes

2 cups white wine

2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock

1 bundle thyme

2 bay leaves

1 orange, cut in 1/2

 Peanut or other neutrally flavored oil, for frying

2 large shallots

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Coat a large pot over medium-high heat with olive oil. Add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Season with salt, to taste, and sweat the veggies until they start to soften and are very aromatic, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the squash and potatoes and season with salt, to taste. Stir to coat the mixture with the oil and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Add the wine and reduce by half.


Add the stock, thyme and bay leaves. Squeeze the orange into the soup and add both halves. Taste for seasoning and adjust, if needed. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and simmer until the squash is falling apart, about 35 to 40 minutes. * If the liquid level starts to get too low, water can be used to replace it.


Remove and discard the orange halves, thyme bundle and bay leaves and puree the soup with an immersion blender or a blender. If using a blender, cool the mixture for about 5 minutes and carefully add it to the blender. It should be very smooth and velvety. Check the consistency. If it is too thick add water to thin it.


In a saucepan heat about 1-inch of the oil over medium heat. Slice the shallots into thin rings. Just before frying, toss the shallots in the flour. Fry the shallots until they are crispy and brown. Remove to a paper towel and sprinkle immediately with salt.


Whip the cream in a large bowl until it holds its shape in soft peaks, then whip in the cinnamon.


Ladle the soup into serving bowls and top with a dollop of the cinnamon whipped cream and fried shallots.