Recipe: Apple Squash Soup

I can't recall which of my girlfriends gave me this recipe - but it has become a staple amongst my circle of friends.  It is easy to prepare, delicious and very impressive to serve to guests (but I just like having it in the fridge for lunches!).  I can almost smell spring in the air - the days are starting to get longer (my little man asked why we were having dinner so early the other night - because it wasn't dark yet!).  So with spring coming, I have to get in the last of my soup making - and had to use up the last butternut squash we had from our garden.....

The blend of butternut squash, apples and onions gives this smooth soup a very delicate taste.  It is a staple in my entertaining repertoire, and I hope it becomes a staple in yours!

Apple Squash Soup

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups apple, peeled and diced
• 2 cups squash, peeled and diced (I use butternut squash - but you could experiment!)
• 4 cups of chicken stock
• 1 cup of light cream or whole mile
• 1 1/2 tsp salt and pepper (or to taste)
• ground cinnamon or chili powder to taste

1. Melt butter in a large pot, add onions and apples and cook uncovered for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft (do not brown). 
2. Stir in squash and chicken stock.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer covered for 20-30 minutes (until the squash is tender).
3. Puree with immersion blender (or you can put it in a food processor or blender). Push puree through a fine sieve if you want an extra fine texture.
4. Return soup to the pot and add cream/milk and salt and pepper.
5. Serve with a garnish of chili powder or cinnamon (I sprinkle these into the bowl just before serving  - that way everyone can pick which flavour they want).

This recipe is easily doubled.  I have tried making it vegetarian by replacing the chicken stock with a vegetable broth - but I find that the soup loses too much richness - please let me know if you have any success making a vegetarian version.

I hope you enjoy it and give it a try before spring fever makes us want to put all the soup recipes away until next year!