Showing posts with label soup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soup. Show all posts

Oct 19, 2009

Curried Butternut Squash soup with lemon

Once the weather gets chilly I seem to develop a constant craving for soup. This particular soup is one of my favorites. I have a bit of an obsession with squash, so I usually have all of the ingredients on hand.
An immersion blender really simplifies the process but if you don't have one, a food processor or a blender would work as well.
The curry in this soup is subtle and the lemon adds a nice bright note. This soup is a perfect example of how little needs to be done to good, in season produce. I used Butternut squash
because that is what I happened to have on hand but you could certainly use another variety.



















1 small butternut squash
1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons curry
2 cups good tasting vegetable broth or water
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
salt to taste

Cut squash in half. Place cut side up on a baking sheet, rub the surface with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt and roast at 400 until it is soft to the touch, about 45 minutes - 1 hour. Let it sit until it is cool enough to handle. Scrape out the seeds and discard them. Scrape the flesh out of the skin and set aside, you should have about 2 cups.

In a hot pan add a little olive oil. Add onion and saute until it is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and curry, saute for another minute or two. Add squash and broth or water. Simmer for a few minutes.

Puree the soup using an immersion blender or in a blender/food processor. If you would like the soup thicker, simmer until it reaches the desired consistency. Stir in the lemon juice, salt to taste.

Oct 2, 2009

10 minute Black Bean Soup

This weekend my family, friends and I are walking in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation fundraiser. After the walk we are all coming to my house for chili and games. I haven't even begun to get anything ready.
The deadline for my Cigar Press article and recipe is Monday, and I have a serious case of writers block.
My daughter came home with a cold and about an hour later my youngest son woke up from his nap with a cold.
I don't have time for dinner tonight... With 3 young kids, that's not really an option so I looked in the cabinet and threw together black bean soup. It was literally done in 10 minutes, and it is really tasty. My daughter Lola has declared it her favorite. Success.

In a food processor chop
1 onion
2 carrots
Throw into a hot pot with a little oil and saute for a couple minutes

In the food processor finely chop
1 jalapeno (with or with out seeds)
3 garlic cloves
Add to pot with 1 1/2 Tablespoons Cumin and saute until fragrant, about 1 min

Add and bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes (with the liquid)
2 14 oz cans black beans
2 -3 cups vegetable broth
1/4 cup orange juice
salt to taste

Smash some of the black beans to thicken the soup a little

Top each serving with a generous amount of chopped cilantro, diced avocado, crumbled feta (unless your making it vegan) and a bit of fresh lime juice.