Would you like a break with a recipe? I know you would. This is not a Thanksgiving recipe, but since it’s so cold everywhere and we need something simple and delicious, let’s do a cheddar potato soup.
I love this soup, especially because it uses good storage veggies. It only takes 35 minutes tops. The original, from Moosewood Cooks at Home, calls for a yellow summer squash, but I used a delicata and I couldn’t tell the difference. Also, I don’t really go in for quantities, so I’ll just give rough measurements here… It is no fail. Use more potatoes than the other things and the amount of cheese and broth you want! (The curry is my idea and what makes the soup.)
Curry Cheddar Potato Soup
Potatoes (I used 4-5 medium-sized Yukon golds, which I harvested early so they had thin skins. You don’t need to peel the potatoes.
2 small or 1 med-large onion
2 small or 1 large carrot
1 small yellow squash (or a cup of winter squash)
1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese (We used Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar which was truly unexpected in its fabulous sharp and creaminess.)
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups or more vegetable or chicken broth or water
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 Tbs (no more) high quality Madras curry powder
salt to taste
chives, scallions or parsley for garnish (optional)
Using a mandoline, slice the onions very thin and cut them up. Saute them in vegetable oil in a soup pot. Meanwhile, slice the potatoes, peeled carrot and peeled squash very thin. Add them to the pot and coat with oil. Then add the broth, pepper and curry powder and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until very soft. Using a stick blender, blend the veggies until the soup is pretty uniform. If it’s really thick, I add a little more broth at this stage (but you’re still going to add milk). Chunks of potato are OK and flecks of carrot and squash are really beautiful in this soup.
Add the milk and cheddar and reheat gently until fully incorporated. Add salt to taste and garnish as you wish! Serve in bowls with good dinner rolls or bread. It is, of course, also good the next day!