Pumpkin Bisque

One thing that I really want to do and have not found in this city, is take a cooking course. It would run over several weeks or months, and cover more advanced topics that some of your fancier recipes require. However, the Arkansas Extended Learning Center does offer one-time classes quite often, usually focused on a certain theme. The course that I had the pleasure of attending was the Autumnfest: Pumpkin Pizazz! We used pumpkin in ways that I would never have considered.

The menu for the evening (according to the course info) consisted of Roasted Pumpkin Bisque served in a Pumpkin Tureen; Pumpkin Seed-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Apple Chutney; Salad Greens with Pumpernickel Croutons, Shaved Parmesan, and Pumpkin Seed Oil Vinaigrette, and Pumpkin and Potato Gratin with Apple Bacon and Gruyere Cheese.

We actually served the soup in tureens (bowls, whatever) made with acorn squash rather than pumpkin, but the technique is essentially the same. Basically you bake the squash/pumpkin for 20 minutes or so, or until it is soft-ish (there’s a technical term for you) , and then cut off enough of the bottom to make it stand up, place it inside a regular soup bowl, cut off the top jack-o-lantern style to make a little lid, and then gently use a spoon to scoop out the contents, which you can then add to your soup if you so desire.

I made the pork tenderloin recipe not long after taking the class (as formerly mentioned), and the Pumpkin and Potato Gratin was quite a hit on Thanksgiving (I brought it to my work potluck, and my mom made it for dinner at the grandparents). Mom recently gave the bisque recipe a whirl, and I do believe it is my favorite. It is quite filling, and has a deliciously nutty flavor that is very pleasing. I garnished mine with some shredded mozzarella and nutmeg, and it was almost too pretty to eat (Thanks Mom!).

All in all I enjoyed the AELC class, and would certainly like to participate in another. The recipes are quite good, and you get to eat the course material once you are finished. They have a Thai themed one coming up that has caught my fancy (shocking I know). However, it is a little less hands on than I was really wanting – I’d like to find one where everyone has their own work area, something like a real cooking school, or what I imagine a real cooking school looks like after watching Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn version. And I too can crack an egg with one hand.) If you know of something like that in this area, please drop me a line!