Chilled chicken and avocado bisque

4 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1mediumAvocado; very ripe
3cupsCold chicken stock; fat skimmed off
1cupSour cream; divided
Salt and freshly ground black pepper; to taste
1pinchCayenne pepper OR a few drops tabasco
2tablespoonsChives; finely minced
1Boneless chicken breast; cooked
1tablespoonGreen or red chiles; minced or
2tablespoonsRoasted red bell pepper; optional

Directions

Using stainless-steel knife, peel and pit avocado and cut into chunks.

Puree in food processor or by rubbing through sieve with wooden spoon.

Blend in chicken stock using blender, food processor or wire whisk. Beat in ⅔ cup sour cream until smooth and frothy. Season with salt and peppers or Tabasco and 1 tablespoon chives. Place in refrigerator to chill and thicken for 2 to 3 hours. (Can be made to this point up to 24 hours in advance; cover tightly with plastic wrap.) About 30 minutes before serving, place 4 soup cups or bowls in refrigerator to chill. Let chicken stand at room temperature (no more than 30 minutes).

Cut chicken in fine dice or shred. Using fork, beat remaining ⅓ cup sour cream until thin. Place chicken in chilled cups. Ladle bisque over it.

Drizzle beaten sour cream over it and garnish with remaining 1 tablespoon chives, minced chiles, roasted red pepper or pimiento, if desired. Serve cold.

Notes: When we wrote about the return of soups last January, this was our hands-down favorite. The flavor is rich and the color is beautiful. It's from ``The Whole World Loves Chicken Soup,'' by Mimi Sheraton (Warner Books, 1995).

Recipe by: Year's best recipes Compiled by KATHLEEN PURVIS Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #982 by Sue <suechef@...> on Jan 04, 1998