Butternut Squash Soup with a Twist!

October 23 2013, Wednesday Dinner 

WHAT:

For Soup:

• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 stick of butter
• 1 butternut squash - peeled and cubed in approx. 1inch cubes
• 1 onion - chopped in small cubes
• 1/2 cup carrots - chopped in small cubes
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/2 tbsp. ginger paste
• 3/4 cup apple - chopped in small cubes
• 1/4 cup fennel bulb - chopped in medium cubes
• 1 orange - small
• 4 cups or more vegetable broth
• 2 bay leaves or sage leaves
• 2 pinch of cumin
• 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of cinnamon powder
• salt and pepper per your taste

For Garnish:

• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/2 cup green onions - thinly chopped
• 2 tsp goat cheese 
• 1/2 cup apple - chopped in very small cubes
• croutons or pita bread  or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch

HOW:

• Pre-heat oven at 425F
• Peel and cut butternut squash in half and scoop out seeds and stringy pulp from center. Cut approx. 1 inch cubes.
• Add about 1-2 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper and mix well so it coats all squash cubes evenly. 
• Line oven tray with aluminum foil and put all squash cubes on it and put it in pre-heated oven for about 35-40 minutes. It should be fork tender when done.
• Add butter in a pan and put it on medium flame. 
• Add bay leaves (or sage leaves) and garlic to the pan. After about 30 seconds, add onions, fennel, carrots, apples and ginger to the pan and sauté  for about 6-7 minutes or until done.
• Add salt and pepper to taste and keep the mixture aside.
• Warm 4 cups of veg. broth.
• Remove butternut squash from oven. Add squash and onion mixture in a blender and make smooth puree. Add broth slowly and as needed until you get right soupy consistency you like. 
• Add the puree back in a pot on medium flame. Add juice of 1 orange, salt, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon powder, cayenne pepper and cumin per taste. 
• Heat for about 5 more minutes and remove from flame.

• TO SERVE: Add the soup in a bowl. Add 1 tsp goat cheese in center. Add small pieces of apple, green onion and pomegranate seeds on top. If you want more crunch, add some pumpkin seeds, croutons or pita bread.
• Enjoy!