Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Can you tell I've left the summer behind and have been inching my way into the Fall?  I guess I shouldn't be so quick to let go of the hot weather but I'm a sucker for the cool, crisp breezes Autumn brings.  The windows are open, you can hear the rustling of the brilliantly coloured trees, and there's always someone, somewhere burning a pile of leaves, filling the air with a smell that makes me want to carve a pumpkin and fill my kitchen with warm, spicy dishes.

This soup is so simple and yummy that it's almost too easy.  Enjoy with warm croutons and crisp-crumbly bacon, or like we did this night, with horseradish mustard, aged cheddar and fresh dill topped whole wheat bagels heated under the broiler.  Warm and hearty and so good!

The star of our show tonight!

Roasted with a little Olive Oil, S & P...

Onions

Add the roasted Squash

Enough Organic Chicken Broth to just cover..

Certainly not fancy, but tasty!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup - EASY!

• 1 Lrg Butternut Squash
• Olive Oil
• 1 Small Onion, chopped
• 3 cups Chicken Stock
• 1/2 - 1 Cup Whipping Cream (35%)
• Cinnamon, to taste (optional)
• 1/4 Cup Real Maple Syrup
• Sea Salt
• Fresh Ground Pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. Halve squash lengthwise and remove seeds 
3. Drizzle each half of squash with a bit of Olive Oil and season with Salt and Pepper
4. Place seasoned squash, cut side down, on a rimmed cookie sheet or roasting pan
5. Bake for 45 to 60 min until fork tender
6. Remove from oven and set aside
7. Heat a splash of olive oil in a med saucepan over med-high heat
8. Add onion and saute until they soften and begin to turn translucent in colour
9. Remove from heat
10. Scoop cooked squash from the skin and add to the saucepan with onions (discard the skin)
11. Add enough chicken stock to cover the squash by about 1 - 1.5 "
12. Return pot to heat and bring to a boil
13. Reduce heat and simmer approx 20 min
14. Remove from heat
15. Add maple syrup, a pinch of salt, pepper and cinnamon
16. Puree using an immersion blender
17. Add salt and pepper to taste
18. Just before serving, add cream and stir, or pour over individual bowls
19. Enjoy!

Ryan loves this soup and goes back for bowl after bowl.  Hope you enjoy!

xo

Jen