Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Golden Diner’s Tuna Melt and Hot Chicken Chili. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CHIP BRIOCHE

This is from Macrina Bakery, and begins, "With Mother’s Day on the horizon — and as a mother myself — I love the idea of inspiring others to spoil the mothers in their lives. Baking something special is a way to show how much you care. Brioche, tender and subtly sweet, is a great way to do that. It’s an enriched bread made beautifully soft by eggs, butter, and sugar, giving it a texture that borders on cake. This recipe, one of my favorites, includes chocolate chips and a chocolate glaze. You can dress it up many ways: slice it and warm it in the oven, soak it in custard for French toast, or pan-fry it in butter and top it with a scoop of ice cream. Go ahead — pamper those you love!"

Makes one 9 x 4-inch loaf

To view this online, go to https://mailchi.mp/macrinabakery/macrina-recipe-of-the-month-chocolate-chip-brioche?e=c8b2de0f04.

Ingredients

1/4 cup warm water

1-1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided

3/4 cup whole milk, warmed

2 eggs

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3-1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1 tsp kosher salt

10 Tbsp (5 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided

1 egg yolk + 1 Tbsp water

1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and ¼ cup of the sugar. Whisk to dissolve and let sit for 3 minutes.

Add the warm milk, eggs, and vanilla to the yeast mixture. Place the bowl on a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed to combine. Add the flour, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Mix for 2 minutes to incorporate everything thoroughly.

Lower the bowl, and switch to the dough hook. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. Add the butter a few cubes at a time. Once they are all added, continue to mix for another 10 minutes. The dough will turn shiny and gather around the hook. Let it rest for 2 minutes, then add 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips on low speed, mixing just until evenly distributed.

Lightly brush a medium bowl with neutral oil. Scoop the dough into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, or until doubled in size.

Brush the bottom and sides of a 9 x 4-inch loaf pan with some neutral oil. Line it with a 9 x 16-inch piece of parchment, letting the paper extend over the sides to help lift the loaf out later.

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Gently press to release the air bubbles and flatten into a 12 x 6-inch rectangle. With the longer side facing you, lift the two base corners to meet at the top, creating a “V” shape. Starting at the base of that “V,” roll the dough tightly into a log about 9 inches long. Place it seam-side down in the prepared pan, cover again with plastic, and let rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it’s just above the edge of the pan.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Adjust your oven for the loaf to bake on the center rack.

In a small bowl, make the egg wash by whisking together the egg yolk and 1 Tbsp water. Brush the top of the loaf for extra shine and caramelization while baking. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the loaf is deep golden brown. Cool briefly, then use a paring knife to loosen the short sides that aren’t covered by parchment. Lift the loaf out and let it cool for 1 hour.

While the loaf cools, make the chocolate glaze. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips. Whisk until melted and saucy, then spoon the glaze over the loaf. Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes.

BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA

This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes

To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).

Ingredients

1 small red onion, coarsely chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded

1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded

4 slices thick-cut bacon

1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained

2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)

1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce

9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta

3 oz presliced green onions

Directions

Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).

Shred chicken (2 cups).

Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sauté pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.

Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.

Aprons Advice

Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.

CHICKEN AND SPINACH SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 14 cups (7 - 2 cups servings)

Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast

Book Title: Cooking Healthy and Fast

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-spinach-salad.

Ingredients

6 oz. fresh spinach

2 oranges, peeled and cut into chunks

2 cups cooked and cubed chicken

2 cups fresh strawberries

Dressing:

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

3 Tbsp. orange juice

1-1/2 Tbsp. canola oil

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/3 tsp. poppy seeds

Directions

Mix dressing ingredients and regrigerate. Wash spinach and tear into bite size pieces. Add oranges, chicken and strawberries. Serve with dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 135; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 46 mg; Cholesterol: 31 mg;Carbohydrates: 10 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 1/2 lean meat

GOLDEN DINER'S TUNA MELT

This recipe is from Sam Yoo and adapted by Alexa Weibel on The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Alexa wrote, "This tuna melt, which was adapted from Sam Yoo, the owner and chef of Golden Diner in New York, is almost more about the textures than the tuna: Two slices of rye bread, crisped in butter and adorned with melted American cheese, sandwich a hefty scoop of tuna salad and a fistful of salt-and-vinegar potato chips. The sandwich will crunch, audibly, as you smash it together, and again between your teeth as you eat it. But the tuna salad is equally memorable: Reminiscent of the flavors of a Big Mac, its tangy, mayo-based sauce gets a hefty dose of acidity from minced bread and butter pickles, mustard, vinegar and Tabasco. This tuna melt eats like a tuna grilled cheese and proves that the best sandwiches are all about contrast: hot and cold, buttery and tangy, crispy and creamy."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes, plus at least 1 hour chilling; Total Time: 45 minutes, plus at least 1 hour chilling; Yield: 4 sandwiches

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025844-golden-diners-tuna-melt. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more. Go ahead, I'll wait...(Tap, tap, tap.)

Ingredients

For the Tuna Salad

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup minced bread and butter pickles

1-1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard

Scant 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 (5-ounce) cans yellowfin tuna packed in water, drained (all of the water squeezed out)

1/3 cup minced red onion

1/3 cup minced celery

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco (or to taste)

Salt

For the Sandwiches

6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter

8 slices rye bread (or other sandwich bread)

Salt-and-vinegar potato chips

6 slices American Cheese

Preparation

Prepare the tuna salad: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced pickles, mustard, vinegar, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil with one hand while whisking the mixture with the other. Add the drained tuna, red onion and celery; fold to combine. Season to taste with Tabasco and salt; refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Cook the sandwiches: Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, lightly butter one side of each slice of bread. Working in batches as needed, add the bread to the heated griddle, buttered-side down, and divide the cheese among 4 slices of bread, tearing cheese to fit in a single layer (1-1/2 pieces per slice of bread). Cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy and golden, about 4 minutes. Transfer toasts to a large cutting board for assembly.

Divide the cold tuna mix among 4 slices (about 1/2 cup each), schmearing it to cover each piece from edge to edge. Add a handful of chips on top and close the sandwiches with the other slices of bread, toasted-side up. Using a serrated knife, cut sandwiches in half diagonally and serve while the bread is warm.

HOT CHICKEN CHILI

This is from Trisha Yearwood on the Food Network.

Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/hot-chicken-chili-7943627.

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 carrots, diced

1 yellow onion, diced

2 pounds ground chicken

Two 15.5-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes

2 teaspoons hot sauce

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup chopped pickles, for garnish

Directions

Stir together the oil, cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of salt in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until the spices infuse the oil, 2 to 3 minutes.

Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Spoon 1/4 cup of the spiced oil into the pan. Add the carrots and onion and cook until the vegetables soften and start to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chicken and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and cook, breaking up the chicken with a wooden spoon, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, hot sauce and 2 tablespoons more of the spiced oil. Stir together and bring to a boil. Pour in the stock. Return to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until the chili is thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.

Ladle the chili into bowls. Top each bowl with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of chopped pickles and a drizzle of the remaining hot oil.

BISQUICK DUMPLINGS

This recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "With a fluffy, light texture, dumplings are somewhat like a very moist biscuit. The Bisquick drop dumplings require only 2 ingredients and 5 minutes to mix up. Dropped by spoonfuls onto simmering stew or soup, they expand into their fluffy, cloud-like texture."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 10

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups Original Bisquick™ Baking Mix

2/3 cup 2% milk

Chopped fresh parsley, if desired

Instructions

In medium bowl, mix Bisquick and milk just until Bisquick is moistened and a soft dough forms.

Drop dough by large spoonfuls onto boiling stew; reduce heat until liquid maintains a simmer.

Cook uncovered 10 minutes. Cover and cook and additional 10 minutes or until dumplings are no longer doughy in the center.

Spoon stew into serving bowls. Use slotted spoon to carefully place a dumpling on top of each serving. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Cheesy Hamburger Skillet and Healthy BBQ Ranch Salad. Enjoy!

BISQUICK DUMPLINGS

This recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "With a fluffy, light texture, dumplings are somewhat like a very moist biscuit. The Bisquick drop dumplings require only 2 ingredients and 5 minutes to mix up. Dropped by spoonfuls onto simmering stew or soup, they expand into their fluffy, cloud-like texture."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 10

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups Original Bisquick™ Baking Mix

2/3 cup 2% milk

Chopped fresh parsley, if desired

Instructions

In medium bowl, mix Bisquick and milk just until Bisquick is moistened and a soft dough forms.

Drop dough by large spoonfuls onto boiling stew; reduce heat until liquid maintains a simmer.

Cook uncovered 10 minutes. Cover and cook and additional 10 minutes or until dumplings are no longer doughy in the center.

Spoon stew into serving bowls. Use slotted spoon to carefully place a dumpling on top of each serving. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

RESTAURANT-STYLE SPINACH MANICOTTI

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Who says you need fancy restaurants for classic Italian dishes? Our Restaurant-Style Spinach Manicotti is a lighter version of your favorite baked pasta dish, so you can still enjoy this Italian dish, in moderation of course!"

Cook Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 7

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Pastas/Restaurant-Style-Spinach-Manicotti.

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package manicotti shells (14 shells)

1 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, diced

1 (32-ounce) container fat-free ricotta cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 egg

1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1-1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups light spaghetti sauce

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions, omitting the salt; drain, rinse, drain again, and place in a large baking dish. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Coat a small saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until tender. Add the mushrooms and saute until brown.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, the egg, spinach, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Add the onion mixture; mix well.

Spoon the mixture into the manicotti shells (see Note), top with the spaghetti sauce, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until heated through.

Note

To fill the shells, carefully place the cheese mixture in a large resealable plastic storage bag with a corner snipped off. Then you can just squeeze the filling into the manicotti shells, using the storage bag like a pastry bag. Simple, right?

HEALTHY BBQ RANCH SALAD

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "If you love those barbecue ranch flavors then this healthy salad recipe is right up your alley. Our Healthy BBQ Ranch Salad has so much southwestern flavor, it'll have you saying "Yeehaw!" with every bite!"

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Serves: 4

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Green-Salads/Healthy-BBQ-Ranch-Salad.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked, diced chicken breast

2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

5 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1 tomato, diced

3/4 cup frozen corn, thawed

3/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/4 cup reduced fat shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)

1/4 cup fat-free Ranch dressing

1/4 cup tortilla strips (see note)

Directions

In a small bowl, combine chicken and barbecue sauce; toss until evenly coated.

In a large bowl, place lettuce; top with chicken, tomato, corn, beans, onion, and cheese, if desired. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine.

Top with tortilla strips, if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

To make your own healthier tortilla strips, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Then, cut a 6" whole-wheat flour tortilal into thin strips and bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle over your salad and enjoy!

CHEESY HAMBURGER SKILLET

This is from Meghan Splawn at Simply Recipes. For this recipe, Meghan wrote, "A certain boxed hamburger meal was the very first meal I cooked by myself as a kid, and the combination of pasta, creamy tomato and cheese sauce, and beef will always hold a nostalgic allure for me.

"As my kids got older, I wanted to introduce them to this classic meal from my childhood. I knew my take on the nostalgic dish had to be as easy as a box and include a pound of ground beef. That’s how this one-skillet cheesy hamburger pasta came to be one of my family’s favorite recipes."

Makes 4 to 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.simplyrecipes.com/cheesy-hamburger-skillet-recipe-8752873.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound lean ground beef

2 teaspoons seasoned salt, like Lawry’s

1-1/2 cups beef broth

8 ounces dried pasta shells

1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, not drained

8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Grab the largest one you own—a 12-inch straight-sided skillet with a lid is ideal, but a large cast iron works in a pinch if you’ve got a lid that works.

Add the oil followed by the beef, breaking the beef into pieces with a spatula. Cook the beef until is browned all the way through, about 4 minutes. Season the beef with the seasoned salt and sauté for about a minute more.

Add the beef broth, pasta shells, and canned tomatoes to the skillet and give it a few stirs to distribute everything evenly. Cover the skillet and cook until the broth mixture is thickened and the shells are tender, 8 to 12 minutes.

Turn off the heat and give the skillet a good stir. Add the cheese and pour in the cream and stir until the cheese is melted and creamy. Serve immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Simple Substitutions

Ultimately, this is a dinner built on some grocery basics and pantry staples, so here are some substitutions that customize this dinner to what is already in your fridge or cupboard:

Beef: Lean ground beef, such as ground sirloin, works really well here because of its beefy flavor. Plus the cheese and cream bring enough richness to this skillet. You can use ground turkey or chicken; I’ve even subbed bulk Italian sausage in a pinch.

Pasta: This dish really is best with small shells, but other short, dried pasta works as well. Macaroni elbows are a great second choice. If you use fusilli, orecchiette, or cavatappi noodles, they take a few extra minutes to cook.

Canned Tomatoes: Crushed, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce are all interchangeable here. No need to drain the diced tomatoes. Jarred marinara sauce can also be used; just use less salt for seasoning.

Seasoned salt: Your favorite seasoned salt probably works here. I love Beautiful Briny Sea’s Magic Unicorn Salt for this, but Lawry’s is also perfect. If you don’t have any on hand, you can also sub 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.

Cheese: This recipe calls for a whole 8-ounce block or about 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. High-quality pre-shredded cheeses, like Tillamook and Cabot, work if you don’t have the energy to grate the block yourself. You can also swap the cheddar cheese for other melty cheese like Monterey Jack or provolone.

NEIMAN MARCUS CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This is from Nicole McLaughlin at allrecipes. For this recipe, Nicole wrote, "This Neiman Marcus chicken casserole recipe is a casserole version of the famous department store's cafe dish. Saucy chicken, bacon, Cheddar, and almonds are baked with a buttery cracker topping in this quick-prep dinner."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Servings: 6 to 8; Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) casserole

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/neiman-marcus-chicken-casserole-recipe-11693255.

Ingredients

4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup slivered almonds

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1-1/2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco® or to taste

1 sleeve buttery crackers, such as Ritz® crackers, crushed

1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Place chicken, chicken soup, sour cream, cheese, green onions, almonds, bacon, and hot sauce into a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour mixture into the prepared dish.

Stir crushed crackers and butter together until combined; spread mixture evenly over casserole.

Bake in the preheated oven until browned and bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes.

PUMPKIN SOUP

This is from Lidey Heuck on The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Lidey wrote, "This recipe turns canned pumpkin purée into a sublimely creamy, aromatic soup that makes for an elegant first course or a satisfying lunch on a cold day. While the combination of pumpkin and fall spices can easily veer in the direction of dessert, the addition of fresh rosemary, garlic, caramelized onions and curry powder plants this soup firmly in the savory camp. Finally, to make this recipe vegan, substitute olive oil for the butter, full-fat coconut milk for the heavy cream, and vegetable broth for the chicken broth. If time and availability allow, consider roasting your own sugar pumpkin for this recipe: The soup will have a deeper, more complex flavor (see Tip)."

Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 6 servings

This was featured in "This is Not Your Average Pumpkin Soup," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021618-pumpkin-soup. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more. What's not to love?

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary (or 2 teaspoons dried rosemary)

2 tablespoons maple syrup

4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup fresh apple cider (or 3/4 cup apple juice)

4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, plus more as needed

2 (15-ounce) cans pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling), or 3 cups homemade pumpkin purée (see Tip)

1 teaspoon mild curry powder

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more for serving

Pinch of ground cloves

1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more as needed

1/3 cup heavy cream, plus more for serving

For the Fried Sage Topping (optional)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

12 fresh sage leaves

Preparation

In a large Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and rosemary and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. If the onions begin browning too quickly, turn the heat to low.

Add the maple syrup and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have darkened in color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the cider and cook, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan, until the liquid is reduced by about half.

Add the broth, pumpkin purée, curry powder, nutmeg, cloves, salt and pepper, stir to combine, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook at a full simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching.

Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender or food processor and return to the pot (or use an immersion blender). Bring back to a simmer over medium heat, then turn off the heat and stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add more broth if the soup is too thick.

To make the optional fried sage topping, melt the butter in a small or medium skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the sage leaves and fry until just crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or a fork, transfer the sage leaves to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the butter left behind in the pan.

To serve, spoon the soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with 2 fried sage leaves and a drizzle of the reserved butter (if using), or a swirl of cream and pinch of nutmeg. Serve hot.

Tip

To make your own pumpkin purée, heat oven to 425 degrees. Trim the stem from a 4- to 5-pound sugar or “pie” pumpkin, then cut the pumpkin in half through the stem. Scoop out the pulp and seeds and discard. (Or rinse and dry the seeds, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast on a sheet pan in 375-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes.) Carefully slice the pumpkin into 1-1/2-inch-thick wedges. Place the wedges on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pumpkin flesh is very tender when pierced with a fork. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then spoon the flesh into a large bowl, discarding the skins. Mash with a fork until mostly smooth.