Friday, January 11, 2013

Butternut Squash Soup


This is a simple and delicious soup that is hearty enough for a meal or elegant enough to serve guests as a first course. 

It can also be made ahead and reheated. 



I serve this soup in my vintage Franciscan Mid-Century bowls that I found for only 50 cents each! 


I practically ran out of the store, feeling like a thief after paying so little. 


There were only 4, so I can only use them for small affairs, and of course for me and The Mr. on quiet winter evenings. 


Just the two of us. 
xx


Here is the recipe:

Butternut Squash Soup
serves 4

1 large butternut squash, about 3 lbs
1 medium onion, diced
3 ribs celery, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
32 oz container of  chicken stock ( I used low sodium - organic)
1/2 cup heavy cream ( I used 'half and half' )
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp black pepper

Cut squash in half, remove seeds with spoon and place squash cut side down and bake in 350 degree oven until  fork tender (about 35 minutes)
Remove from oven to cool. (This step can be done up to 1 day ahead,  if wrapped and kept in refrigerator)
Remove skin from pulp and set aside. 
In large stock pot heat oil on medium high, and add the onion and celery. Cook until tender. Add the stock and squash pulp along with the sugar and spices, stirring with a whisk.
Heat everything just to boiling. 
Remove from heat and let cool slightly. 
Working in small batches, being careful of hot liquid, puree the mixture in blender until smooth. (Or use an immersion blender)
Return the pureed soup to the pot and add the cream. 
Heat through but do not boil. 
(4 bowls)

Serve with a dollop of sour cream or thick yogurt sprinkled with nutmeg and with your favorite rustic bread. 

I serve all my soup with home baked Irish Brown Bread. 


Enjoy!

xx



25 comments:

  1. Mmmm.....that looks delicious! I will make that for Eric and I this weekend with that fabulous Irish bread. Your table looks so pretty with the flowers Jen made you. Hugs ~H~

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    1. Hi Honey, I think you will love it and you have to give me that recipe for the corn chowder you served us. It was so delicious! Aren't Jen's flowers so pretty? I love them. Hugs to you. xx

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  2. How delicious! When should I be over? Haha! I love butternut squash so I'm sure I'd enjoy this soup.

    I'm digging your mid-century bowls! So cute and I can't believe they were so cheap! Deal of the century! :)

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    1. Oh, I do wish I could invite you over, Tammy! I do love when I can find a bargain - I hope I can find more. Thanks for stopping by! xx

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  3. I have always loved this pattern! I used to have a few of the smaller plates when I collected these items. I have never had squash soup but it sounds delicious.

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    1. Hi Danielle, oooh, I will have to look for those in my wanderings! I suppose hot soup is not something you usually have in Florida, but I think it might even be good chilled! Thank you for the visit, I always enjoy when you stop by! xx

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  4. This is making me so hungry! I love squash soup and I am going to have to make this recipe. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You are welcome, Barb and I hope your week is going well and thanks for the visit! I always love when you stop by! xx

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  5. Oh that is a meal suited for a King and Queen the place setting makes it look like that to me. I love this. Dinner for two romantic and perfect setting. B

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    1. Oh,Buttons, if only we could be King and Queen, but I guess we all are in our own little worlds! Thanks for visiting. xx

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  6. Yum. I'll be right over! LOL! Doubt we'd have it here since my husband doesn't like squash but I do. Grew up eating squash from the garden my mom grew every year. How can you not like squash? Like your vintage dishes. Fun!

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    1. Wish you could, Becky! My Mr. didn't like squash either, until recently. Maybe it was all in his head! I don't know, but I am glad I have someone to share my love of squash now! xx

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  7. My son and his new wife would love those dishes. They are very into mid-century modern. I have never been a fan of squash, but this sounds really good. Maybe because I'm cold and wrapped in an afgan right now:)

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    1. Dear Cindy, that does seem to be a very favorite trend right now, especially if you have the right style of house. I am cold, too, a nice afgan sounds cozy to me! Stay warm and thanks for visiting. xx

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  8. It looks amazing! and I love and adore you table setting! so vintage and perfect!

    Have a great day Karen :)

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    1. Thank you, Delvalina (such a pretty name)! Wishing you a beautiful weekend! xx

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  9. Dearest Karen,
    That is so healthy and I love butternut squash. Got it often at Trader Joe's and also bought their low sodium chicken stock. I have to look for low sodium foods all the time and that means cooking my own meals.
    Thanks for the bread link, that is what we eat, whole grain breads from Costco but I love to bake my own as well. The smell is so good and such a pure and simple meal for winter evenings is perfect.
    LOVE your roses... you are such a talented lady; love your little touches and frugal way of living. That's my idea as well.
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you, Dear Mariette!

      You are always so sweet and kind. Yes, living frugally is what I have learned to do - finding creative ways to live without spending a lot - the fun without the worry! Home cooking tastes so much better and is much healthier! Wishing you a relaxing weekend - xox

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  10. I love squash soup and have made it several times. The addition of brown sugar is new to me though and I will try that. Your table setting is so pretty and romantic too. The bread - nice looking loaf that one!

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  11. What a great meal for cold weather. And, your presentation - those mid-century bowls are wonderful! -- Jan

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  12. Beautiful table settings love those bowls...The soup looks so yummy.. I plan to try out this recipe.. Thank you for sharing!! Hugs May x x x

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  13. Your soup looks delicious Karen. Butternut soup is one of my favourites too!

    Have a lovely weekend,

    Madelief x

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  14. Looks delish! I'm not a soup lover but I so want to try this recipe. Cheers.

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  15. This looks delicious - perfect for a winter's night. I've never tried it, but I think I will. Thanks for sharing the recipe. <3

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  16. Oh be still my heart - those bowls. My mom had a whole set of those dishes- guess when - mid-century of course. We lived in Alaska and she must have ordered them from Sears or had a friend send them up - there were no stores where we lived. I adored doing the dishes so I could wash each one (carefully). Everything was space and atoms and boomerang shape to show we were progressing - it was an exciting time - and fun dishes. I've seen a piece or two in the stores - mostly cream and sugars - and a few tea cups - never any bowls - and what a grand price.

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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