RECIPE: Rec: roasted butternut squash soup

RECIPE:

mariadnoca

Moderator
I mean I liked it, I ate the whole bowl but it just seemed to need some sort of zip that it might be lacking. Please don't suggest Tabasco or something spicy because I can't eat spicy hot.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Servings: Recipe yields about 4 bowls or 6 cups of soup

Ingredients

1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds), halved vertically and seeded

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1/2 cup chopped shallot (about 1 large shallot bulb)

1 teaspoon salt

4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Up to 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth

1 to 2 tablespoons butter, to taste (substitute olive oil for dairy free/vegan soup)

Steps

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the butternut squash on the pan and drizzle each half with just enough olive oil to lightly coat the squash on the inside (about 1 teaspoon each). Rub the oil over the inside of the squash and sprinkle it with salt and pepper.

Turn the squash face down and roast until it is tender and completely cooked through, about 45 to 50 minutes. Set the squash aside until it’s cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Then use a large spoon to scoop the butternut squash flesh into a bowl and discard the tough skin.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet (or large soup pot, if you’ll be serving soup from that pot), warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped shallot and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the shallot has softened and is starting to turn golden on the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring frequently.

If you have a high performance blender like a Vitamix (see notes if you're using an immersion blender instead), transfer the cooked shallot and garlic to your blender. Add the reserved butternut, maple syrup, nutmeg and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper. Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth, being careful not to fill the container past the maximum fill line (you can stir in any remaining broth later). Secure the lid and select the soup preset. The blender will stop running once the soup is super creamy and hot.

If you would like to thin out your soup a bit more, add the remaining cup of broth (I used the full 4 cups, but if you used a small squash, you might want to leave it as is). Add 1 to 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil, to taste, and blend well. Taste and blend in more salt and pepper, if necessary.

Serve immediately (I like to top each bowl with a little more black pepper). Let leftover soup cool completely before transferring it to a proper storage container and refrigerating it for up to 4 days (leftovers taste even better the next day!). Or, freeze this soup for up to 3 months.

Notes

IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH AN IMMERSION BLENDER, add the reserved squash to the pot, then add the broth, maple syrup, nutmeg and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes so the flavors have a chance to meld. Carefully use your immersion blender to blend the soup completely, then add 1 to 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil, to taste, and blend again. Taste and blend in more salt and pepper, if necessary.

http://cookieandkate.com/2015/roasted-butternut-squash-soup/

 
I'd add some onions. And the butternut squash soup recipe I like

has apples. I think coriander is a good spice for this also. And it might even be a candidate for just a small hint of harissa, if you already have it in your spice cabinet, since there was that discussion about its use. And I have used garam masala.

 
Go Middle Eastern

.. The version I just posted on the blog has coriander, which I think goes well. The original called for cinnamon too, but I omitted

 
Michael Chiarello's Butternut Apple Soup uses his spice blend. It's perfect.

Rec: Toasted Spice Rub
Source: Michael Chiarello's Casual Cooking

Michael's Notes: I originally created a version of this spice mix for a chicken dish, but I also like to use it on lamb, shrimp, and fish. It's delicious stirred into rice and it transforms a pot of beans. I add a pinch to soups that need a lift and to scrambled eggs and omlets.

Don't let the amount of chili powder put you off. California chili powder is almost sweet, not hot. It is not a blend of chilies and other seasonings, like the kind you would use in Texas-style chili. Instead, it is pure ground chilies. Taste your powder, and if it's hot, use less than the recipe indicates.

Toasting releases the aromatic oils in spices, resulting in a more complex flavor.

1/4 C fennel seed (Marilyn's note: WE ONLY USED 2 Tablespoons so it wouldn't be too fennel-y)
1 T coriander seed
1 T black peppercorns
1 1/2 t red pepper flakes
1/4 C pure California chili powder
2 T kosher salt
2 T ground cinnamon

Put the fenned seed, coriander seed and peppercorns in a small, heavy skillet over moderate heat. Watching carefully, toss the seeds frequently so they toast evenly. When the fennel seed turns light brown, work quickly. Turn on the exhaust fan, add the red pepper flakes, and toss, toss, toss,
always under the fan. Immediately turn the spice mixture out onto a plate to cool.

Pour the cooled spices into a blender and add the chili powder, salt, and cinnamon. Blend until the spices are finely and evenly ground. If you have a small spice mill or a coffee grinder dedicated to grinding spices, grind only the fennel, coriander, peppercorns and red pepper flakes. Pour into a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients. Keep the spice mix in an airtight container away from light and heat, for up to 4 months, or freeze for up to 1 year.

 
Great, I'll run and get some apples because I'm not giving my honey crisps up to the soup!

I'll do all of his additions and then blend it with what I have now and see if that helps. Like I said it's not bad it's just kind of bland. Maybe this'll park it up. Thank you thank you thank you!

 
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