Soupy Days

Unless you're lucky enough to be in Australia right now, you're likely enduring chilly weather outside, like me. And nothing makes me feel better in cold weather than warming up with a good movie and a bowl of comfort-soup!

So I spent my morning making my mum's Butternut Squash Soup... enough so I can freeze some for future glum days. YUM!

Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp EVOO

1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced

3/4 cup apple cider

1 3/4 lbs of butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cut into 1 inch dice

4 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

salt and pepper

For Garnish: 1 Macintosh apple, smoked cheddar, chives, bacon

DIRECTIONS

1. In large saucepan, heat EVOO. Add onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add apple cider and cook until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Add squash and stock and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes

2. Puree the soup in a blender in batches. Return the soup to the saucepan and stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

For garnish:

Heat a medium skillet and add 2 Tbsp unsalted butter and 1 Macintosh apple cut into a small dice. Cook over high heat until the apple is golden around the edges, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and season lightly with s+p.

When serving, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish with the sauteed apple, grated smoked cheddar, chives and bacon bits.

Srsly Delish. YUM. :)

Enjoy!