crockpotwednesdays4

It’s time for Crock Pot Wednesday!!  I hope you will be linking up with Mister Linky.  I’m looking forward to what you have to say.

 
 
martha hall foose

Martha Hall Foose is the Executive Chef for the Viking Cooking School in nearby Greenwood, Mississippi (I would sooooooo like to go.) and the author of Screen Doors and Sweet Tea which has become a favorite in my collection.
screen doors
Foose started in the Mississippi Delta, went to cooking school in France, and traveled the world only to return to the Delta. She knows the South – and shares it’s food and people in a humorous, touching way. I read cookbooks like some people read novels; this one was just downright enjoyable.  Plus, she’s included some really tasty treats.  I’m working on trying them all.
At the lake last weekend, trying to use up some freezer stock, I turned to her Curried Sweet Potato Soup for inspiration to create Curried Hubbard Squash Soup for the slow cooker.  It was a great day to put on a pot of soup and spend the day playing in the snow with the Perfect Ones. 
I mean, ya’ gotta’ take those opportunities when they come!
Here’s her version with my adaptations noted.

curried sweet potato
Curried Sweet Potato Soup
· 3 pounds dark orange sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
   (I used frozen Hubbard squash from the
    freezer.)


· 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter


· 2 leeks, white and tender green parts only, chopped
    (I actually had these on hand, but you
    could substitute scallions or another
   mild onion.)



· 1 Tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
    (I keep this in the freezer all of the time.
    I have a friend who uses and swears by
   the kind in a tube. )



· 2 2-inch pieces lemongrass
    (Okay, so I wasn’t about to drive 20
   minutes to the grocery just to see if they
  POSSIBLY had lemongrass.  I just
  squeezed in about a Tablespoon of lemon
   juice.)



· 2 garlic cloves, minced 
  (I keep the jarred variety in the frig…take your shortcuts where you can.)



· 1 Tablespoon lemon curry powder blend
   (I had this on hand from some other recipe adventure which, obviously, didn’t make much of an impression since I don’t remember what it was!)

· 1 quart vegetable broth


· 1 (14.5 ounce) can coconut milk
   (I used light coconut milk.)



· Fried pork rinds, for garnish.
(In case of snow, run to the local market for milk, blend and pork rinds!)

     

 

In a large pot, cook the sweet potatoes in the butter for 5 minutes over medium heat.  Add the leeks, ginger and lemongrass.  Cook for 3 minutes over low heat or until the leeks are tender.  Add the garlic and curry, and cook for 1 minute.  Stir in the broth and simmer until the sweet potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes.

With an immersion blender, or carefully with a blender, puree the soup.  Stir in the coconut milk and warm through over very low heat.
Ladle into bowls and top with a pork rind.

My adapted cooking:
Place the sweet potatoes (or squash) and the broth in the slow cooker insert.  Saute the leeks, ginger, garlic and lemongrass for 2 to 3 minutes in the butter over medium heat.  Add to the slow cooker insert.  Stir in the lemon curry powder.  Cook on LOW 6-8 hours.  Add coconut milk and blend with an immersion blender (or blender) until smooth.  Allow to cook on low an additional hour.
Ladle, garnish and serve.
curried sweet potato soup
 
 
Comments:  Hubby and I both wanted to add some heat…as in chipotle chili powder…which we did by sprinkling it in and stirring.  That suited us just fine.

Looks like we are headed for another “snowmaggedon” few days. 

Dear God,
  Just checking in.  Have you lost your compass?  I live in THE SOUTH.  I was just wondering if you had us mixed up with SIBERIA.  I’ll be happy to send you a new compass if you will just let me know.
Love bunches,
Your SOUTHERN FRIEND who formerly lived in THE SOUTH  where a SNOW DAY come only once in a BLUE MOON,  whose motto is I HATE WINTER. 

P.S.  Okay.  So last weekend’s snow really was pretty.  Kinda’ like frosting on the cake.  (Can I just have a small piece of cake this time around?)
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