Satsuma & Butternut Squash Bisque & Andouille Sausage

Ingredients:

1 Butternut Squash
3 cloves Garlic
2 Shallots
6 Satsumas
1 link Andouille Sausage (small dice)
2 tsp Red Chile Paste
1 quart Chicken Stock
5.6oz can Coconut Milk
1/4 cup Rice
2 tbsp Nuoc Mam
3 Tien Tsin Peppers
2 tbsp Curry Powder
2 tbsp Smoked Paprika
pinch Saffron
pinch Cinnamon
3-4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
1-2 sprigs Fresh Oregano
Sea Salt (to taste)
White Pepper (to taste)
Peanut Oil
Butter

Peel the Butternut Squash and cut the top off. Cut six 1/2" slices off of it and chop those into a 1/2" dice for the garnish. Roughly chop the remainder of the Squash and mix it with a bit of Peanut Oil, and a few sprigs of fresh Thyme and Oregano – roast off in a 375F oven until soft (about 30min).

Step 1:

Mince the Garlic and Shallots. Zest four of the Satsumas.

Step 2:

Saute the Zest, Garlic, Tien Tsin and Shallot in a bit of Oil until tender.

Step 3:

Deglaze with the Chicken Stock and add the Rice.

Step 4:

Bring to a simmer and juice 5 of the Satsumas. The easiest way is just to squeeze and mash the heck out of them over a colander.

Step 5:

Let simmer until the Rice is cooked.

Step 6:

Once the Rice is cooked, add the Roasted Squash, complete with the Oil and Herbs, and add the Chili Paste, Coconut Milk, Curry Powder, Paprika, Saffron, Cinnamon and Nuoc Mam.

Step 7:

Bring back to a simmer and puree in a blender. Adjust the seasonings and finish with the juice of the last Satsuma.

Step 8:

In the meantime roast the Andouille in the oven at 400F to bring out the flavor (about 10 minutes). Heat up a bit of Oil in a pan and add the diced Squash and a few Thyme and Oregano leaves.

Step 9:

Toss in a small knob of butter and cook the Squash a l'etuve, whereas you'll let them steam in their own juices under a foil or parchment lid (just cut a small hole in the middle and fit it over the veggies).

Step 10:

Due to the small size, they should be soft in about 5-6 minutes, and need no further liquid added to them. Once soft and tender, combine with the Andouille.

Step 11:

And form a mound in the center of a bowl. Pour the bisque into the bowl and serve.

Step 12:

Closeup of the Andouille sausage and squash.