Roasted-Garlic Soup with Cheddar and Mild Green Chili
As shared from the kitchen of Mari @ Once Upon a Plate (www.onceuponaplate1.com)
Serves 8 generously (recipe is easily halved)
This is just the soup to warm you from the inside out on a cold, blustery day.
Adapted from "Christina's Cookbook" by Christina Orchid ~ A Pacific Northwest Cookbook
Note: Christina recommends using fresh garlic for this recipe, not the ready-peeled cloves or pre-roasted garlic.
4 heads garlic
1 tablespoon water
2 yellow onions, peeled and chopped
3 cups chicken stock
2 russet potatoes, cooked and peeled
2 fresh pasilla or Anaheim chiles*
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup grated mild cheddar cheese, plus extra for garnish if desired
1/2 cup chopped chives or thinly sliced scallions (green stem only)
Preheat the oven to 300* (F) Trim all the extra papery skin from garlic bulbs. Place the whole garlic bulbs in a pie pan, add water and cover and seal the pie tin with foil; roast in the oven for 45 minutes.
Pour chicken stock into a stock pot or large saucepan and add onions, bring stock to a boil and cook until onions become translucent (about 30 to 35 minutes.) Cut the cooked potatoes into large pieces and add to the stock. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
To roast the Pasillas or Anaheim chilies: Preheat ove to 450*F. Place the peppers on a sheet pan and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, until skin is charred (turn if necessary.) Remove pan from oven and allow chilies to cool. When cool peel off skin. Remove seeds; chop chili flesh into 1/4-inch pieces and set aside.
Once the roasted garlic has cooled, grasp the root end of the bulb and gently squeeze the tender pulp into the stock mixture (I squeeze it into a small bowl first, then add it to the stock.)
In a blender or food processor carefully whirl the mixture until smooth; return the stock mixture to the cook pot. Over medium-low heat add the cream and buttermilk to heat gently. While stirring, add the grated cheese. When soup is hot, stir in the roasted chilies
Best served in warmed bowls; sprinkled with chives or additional grated cheese and finely sliced scallions (green part of stem.)
*My notes:
Time saver, the potatoes: Next time I make this, I'll peel the potatoes, cut them in chunks and add to the chicken stock with the onions, cooking until potatoes are tender. Saving a step and a dirty pot!
Time saver, the chilies: If fresh green chilies are not available substitute 2 to 3 tablespoons canned, diced mild green chilies for the fresh (for example Ortega brand.)
Reheating: As with most soups this reheats very well. However, it thickens quite a bit after being chilled, so add more chicken stock, chicken broth, milk or cream to thin. Gently reheat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot.
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