A little fresh goat cheese and a touch of butter are just enough to make this spinach soup silky, creamy and a little nutty--but not enough to overdo it. We use dark green spinach for this soup because of the lovely color it produces, though you could use red-veined spinach and have just as good a flavor in a more Army-inspired khaki color.
spinach goat cheese bisque
Spinach & Goat Cheese Bisque
Ingredient
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1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
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2 large yellow onions, chopped
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½ teaspoon salt, divided, plus more to taste
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2 tablespoons plus 2 cups water, divided
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1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh
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1 large Yukon Gold potato, peeled and diced
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2 tablespoons cream sherry or Marsala
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4 cups vegetable broth, store-bought or homemade
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24 cups gently packed spinach (about 1 1/4 pounds), any tough stems trimmed
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Pinch of cayenne pepper
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¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
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½ cup crumbled fresh goat cheese (2 ounces), plus more for garnish
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
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Soup croutons for garnish
Instructions
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Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until the onions begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add 2 tablespoons water and thyme and cover. Cook, stirring frequently until the pan cools down, and then occasionally, always covering the pan again, until the onions are greatly reduced and have a deep caramel color, 25 to 30 minutes.
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Meanwhile, combine the remaining 2 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large soup pot or Dutch oven; add potato. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until very soft, 12 to 15 minutes.
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When the onions are caramelized, stir sherry (or Marsala) into them; add them to the pot along with broth. Return to a simmer. Stir in spinach, cayenne and nutmeg; cover and cook, stirring once, until the spinach is tender but still bright green, about 5 minutes.
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Remove from the heat, stir in goat cheese, butter and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; allow the butter and cheese to melt. Puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender until perfectly smooth or in a regular blender in batches (return it to the pot). Taste and add more salt and/or lemon juice, if desired. Serve garnished with a large soup crouton and crumbled goat cheese, if desired.