Thai-Style Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

Thai-Style Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

This Thai-style butternut squash soup is soothing and flavorful, and the heat from the curry and Sriracha will warm you right up.

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Total Time: 50 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

·       2 tablespoons vegetable oil

·       2 medium yellow onions, roughly chopped

·       3 cloves garlic, very roughly chopped

·       2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh ginger, from a 2-inch knob

·       2-1/2 lb pre-cut butternut squash (or one 3-lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed)

·       3 large carrots, cut into 1-inch cubes

·       6 cups chicken broth, best quality such as Swanson

·       1-1/2 tablespoons fish sauce

·       3 tablespoons sugar

·       3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

·       1 (14-oz) can unsweetened coconut milk (preferably not low fat)

·       Juice of half a lime, plus more limes for serving

·       1/4 teaspoon salt

OPTIONAL GARNISHES

·       Sriracha sauce, for drizzling

·       4 scallions, thinly sliced

·       3/4 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped

·       1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Do not brown; reduce heat if necessary.
2. Add the squash, carrots, broth, fish sauce, sugar, and curry paste. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Using a hand-held immersion blender, purée the soup until silky smooth. (Alternatively, cool the soup slightly, then purée in a blender in batches, making sure to leave the hole in the lid open to allow the steam to escape.) Stir in the coconut milk, lime juice, and salt (if the coconut milk is solidified, use the immersion blender to mix it in). Bring to a simmer, then taste and adjust the seasonings, if necessary. Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle with the Sriracha and garnish with the scallions, peanuts, and cilantro, if using.
4. Make Ahead: This soup can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the soup will thicken up quite a bit as it cools, so you'll need to add a bit of water or broth to thin it back to the right consistency upon reheating.
5. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The soup can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator for 12 hours and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. (It may thicken up a bit while in the freezer; if so, just thin it out with a bit of water or broth while reheating.)