Pumpkin, Corn, and Lemongrass Soup

Ingredients

• 1.8 pounds butternut squash 
• 8 servings garnish: cilantro leaves 
• 2.5 cups corn kernels fresh (10 ounces; from 2 to 3 ears)
• 1  lemongrass stalk fresh end trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
• 5 cups water 

Equipment

• bowl
• knife
• pot
• sieve
• blender

Directions

1. Cut off and discard top of lemongrass, leaving a 6-inch stalk, then smash stalk with side of a large heavy knife.
2. Cook lemongrass, onion, and 1 teaspoon salt in butter and oil in a heavy medium pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 10 minutes.
3. Add squash, corn, water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender, about 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and discard lemongrass.
6. Purée soup in 3 or 4 batches in a blender until very smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), straining each batch as blended through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heatproof bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids. Season with salt and pepper and reheat if necessary.
7. Soup can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, uncovered, until cool, then covered. Reheat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
8. See Nutrition Data's complete analysis of this recipe ›
9. Nutrition Data