APPLE SOUP WITH ROQUEFORT CROUTONS
INGREDIENTS:
• 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter
• 1 ¼ lbs. Red Delicious apples (about 3 large), peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 ¼ lbs. Granny Smith apples (about 3 large), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 5 cups chicken stock or canned broth
• 1 ½ cups whipping cream
• ¼ cup Calvados (apple brandy)
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• ½ Red Delicious apple, cored (unpeeled)
• ½ Granny Smith apple, cored (unpeeled)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
• Roquefort Croutons
DIRECTIONS:
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 ¼ pound red apples, 1 ¼ pounds Granny Smith apples, onion and garlic and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add stock and simmer until apples are very tender, about 25 minutes. Puree mixture in batches in blender or processor. Return puree to pan. Add cream and Calvados. Bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared one day ahead. Cool, cover and refrigerate).
• Cut each apple half into 12 thin slices. Mix with lemon juice. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
•Bring soup to simmer over medium heat. Ladle into bowls. Top each bowl with 2 red apple slices and 2 Granny Smith apple slices. Sprinkle with chives. Serve with Roquefort croutons.
CROUTON INGREDIENTS:
• 4 bacon slices
• 18 1/4 inch-thick slices of French bread baguette
• 4 ounces Roquefort cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
CROUTON DIRECTIONS:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Cook bacon in heavy medium skillet until crisp. Transfer to paper towels and drain. Crumble bacon. Arrange bread slices on heavy large backing sheet. Bake until beginning to crisp, about 10 minutes. Mix cheese and butter in processor until smooth. Spread one side of each crouton with cheese mixture. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover croutons at an store at room temperature.
• Preheat broiler. Broil croutons 5 inches from heat source until cheese bubbles, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon. Serve warm, plated next to soup or on top of soup. © Recipe courtesy of Bon Appétit, Oct 1998
NOVEMBER WINE CLUB
Ca’ de Lion
Il Sognatore Cortese
Dell’ Alto Monferrato DOC
Piedmont, Italy
SILKY WINE STYLE
Ca’ de Lion was founded in 1871 by Luigi Ghione. The winery takes the name of the family ancestor, Leone Ghione (1655). Generations of expertise in Piedmont has elevated this artisanal producer to its highest level. Farming sustainably and naturally, the wines from this estate show a purity of flavor. The depth and nuance of the wine vibrates and speaks of the place where it comes from, in the hills of Canelli. Harvested by hand during the first week of September, vinification and maturing took place in stainless steel tanks. This wine has exotic and aromatic notes of jasmine, white peach, stone fruits and a touch of mint. In the mouth, the wine is bright with lemon-lime acidity and a refreshing finish. Serve chilled. Pairs well with antipasti, salads, seafood and lighter fare.
Silvio Ghione, Winemaker
“Brilliant green tones, with perfume nose of a yellow and white fruits and herbs. On the palate, pleasant white wine, surrounded by a good freshness. Excellent as apéritif, with fish or meat dishes.” – Silvio Ghione, Winemaker
Winemaker: Silvio Ghione
Appellation: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: 100% Cortese
Analysis: 12.0% alcohol / volume
Critical Acclaim: Reviewed and approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine
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