I've received some staff requests for SOUPS, so today's GMAZ segment is dedicated to those hearty bowls of comfort food in fall! There's something for everyone, whether your style is "football" or "fancy"! I'm somewhere in between and I love them all!

Lobster Bisque

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of butter

• 1/4 cup chopped onion

• 1/4 cup chopped celery

• 1/4 cup chopped carrot

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 2 cups chicken stock

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1/3 cup sweet white wine (I used Chateau St. Michelle Reisling)

• 1/2 lb. cooked lump lobster meat (2 tails)

• fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)

• lemon zest (for garnish)

Steps:

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, celery, and carrot. Cook and stir until veggies are soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, tomato paste, season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 10 minutes.

2. Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor. Add 1/2 cup of the lobster meat. Cover, and process until smooth. Return to the pot, stir in the half-and-half, white wine, and remaining lobster meat (reserving just a few pieces for garnish). Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until thickened, about 30 minutes.

3. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and lemon zest. Serve immediately.

Fancy Clam Chowder

Prep Time: 15 minutes / Cook Time: 30 minutes / Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. package Applewood Smoked bacon, chopped

• 1 cup diced fresh fennel

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced

• 1/2 medium onion, diced (Maui onion or other sweet variety)

• 1 large Russet Potato, cut into 1" cubes

• 4 cans smoked clams in oil (3.75 oz. each)

• 5 tbsp. Flour

• 2 cups Heavy Cream

• 2 cups chicken stock (plus more for thinning)

• 2 large Bay Leaves

• 3 fresh thyme sprigs

• Salt/Pepper

Steps:

• Heat a large pot or dutch oven to high heat. Add the bacon and cook on high heat for about 7 minutes until crispy. Drain from the drippings with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl that's been lined with a paper towel.

• Add the fennel, carrots, onions and potatoes to the bacon drippings. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium and sauté the vegetables on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.

• Add one of the cans of clams with the oil into the pot. Stir to combine it with the bacon drippings and veggies. Add in the flour and continue to stir until a thick roux is formed with the oil and flour.

• Add in the heavy cream, chicken stock, thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Re-season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer for 20-30 minutes until the potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork. If the chowder gets too thick while simmering, add another 1/4 cup at a time of chicken stock.

• Stir in the remaining clams and their oil. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving. Serve with crackers or in Sourdough bread bowls.

Super Simple Clam Chowder

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

• 1/2 medium onion, diced

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 3 cups half and half

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 2 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams, juices separated

• 1 (3.75-ounce) container of fancy smoked clams

• 2 medium Russett potatoes, peeled and cut into 1" cubes

• salt and pepper

Steps:

1. Melt butter in a large pot or dutch oven on medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft, about 4 minutes.

2. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in half and half, chicken stock and clam juice. Cook on medium heat, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in potatoes.

3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 12-15 minutes.

4. Stir in clams until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Serve in a sourdough bread bowl, garnish with chopped bacon and/or fresh parsley if desired.

Butternut Squash Soup

Prep time: 20 minutes / Cook time: 40 minutes / Total time: 60 minutes / Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 medium butternut squash

• 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped

• 5 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth

• 2 tbsp. of pure maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 tsp. of cumin

• 1/4 cup of heavy cream

Steps:

1. Split butternut squash lengthwise and remove seeds. Place in a shallow baking dish, face down in 1/2 inch of water. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes until soft when pierced with a fork.

2. Sautee onions in 2 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat until onions are translucent and soft, about 10 minutes. Add crushed garlic and sautee for approximately 1 minute before removing from heat.

3. After the squash has cooled slightly, scoop out with a spoon and place in a food processor or blender.

4. Add cooked onion and garlic, the additional 3 tbsp. olive oil and half the chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and blend until smooth.

5. Add remaining chicken broth, syrup, spices, heavy cream and blend again until smooth. Serve immediately.