I made this bisque from the cookbook True Blood: Eats, Drinks, and Bites from Bon Temps that my friend Kelly sent me back in November.
I talked a bit about it on my most recent vlog post. I don't think I have ever been so excited to receive a cookbook before. It is spooky, beautiful and based on one of my favourite TV shows. Mixing food, TV and the supernatural together is the coolest idea for a cookbook ever! But would the recipes be good? That was the question!
"I ache for Talbot whenever I think of his warm bisque garnished with a flourish of English rose petals." ~ Russell Edgington
The Recipe
Trim, peel and dice 3 or 4 medium beets. I personally did not use gloves. I am not squeamish or weirded out by my hands getting a little stained for a day or so. It almost seemed inappropriate for this True Blood dish to wear gloves!
Saute 1 cup of minced yellow onion in 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
Add the beets and 1/2 cup chopped carrots.
I seasoned them at this point but if you want to follow the recipe, add the salt at the end. Cook, stirring for 5 minutes.
Add 4 cups of chicken broth.
Add 1 cup of water and 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Russell recommends using an immersion blender which, for me, never works. I used a blender instead to puree the soup.
Foodie Results
This soup is extremely light and almost refreshing. I thought the beet flavour would be overwhelming but it wasn't. My only complaint is how thin it was. I would personally cook mine down a little longer and maybe without the lid on so it could reduce more. To add some body to it, LOL, I added some heavy whipping cream to the soup when I had it the next day.
We were surprised at how subtle this beet-red soup was. Almost, delightful. I think Talbot would be proud of my results, despite the lack of rose petals.
I give this recipe four out of five wooden spoons.
4 comments:
If you add potatoes, cabbage, green beans and more carrots to that basic recipe, you'd have my fave vegetable borscht soup. Leave it chunky too. Yum!
I have a similar recipe and it has you add Kefir (or plain yogurt) in it instead of (I am sure MUCH better) 40% cream
Red Velvet cake in that book?
Debra, that soup sounds fabulous!
VV, yes, yogurt can't really compare it's true. BTW, there is a red bundt cake with white frosting so I think that's a yes!
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