Butternut Squash Soup

 

Butternut Squash Soup

Prep Time: 10minutes mins

Cook Time: 35minutes mins

Total Time: 45minutes mins

Serves 6

This vegan butternut squash soup is the ultimate fall comfort food! Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to a few months.

Equipment

·         5.5-Quart Dutch Oven (I personally use the Staub Cocotte)

·         Blender (I've used my trusty Vitamix for years)

Ingredients

·         2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

·         1 large yellow onion, chopped

·         ½ teaspoon sea salt

·         1 (3-pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed

·         3 garlic cloves, chopped

·         1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

·         ½ tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

·         1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

·         3 to 4 cups vegetable broth

·         Freshly ground black pepper

For serving

·         Chopped parsley

·         Toasted pepitas

·         Crusty bread

Instructions

1.                   Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, salt, and several grinds of fresh pepper and sauté until soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the squash and cook until it begins to soften, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes.

2.                   Add the garlic, sage, rosemary, and ginger. Stir and cook 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant, then add 3 cups of the broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the squash is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

3.                   Let cool slightly and pour the soup into a blender, working in batches if necessary, and blend until smooth. If your soup is too thick, add up to 1 cup more broth and blend. Season to taste and serve with parsley, pepitas, and crusty bread.

 

I added some cream at the end

Quick and Easy Chicken Tikka Masala with Rotisserie Chicken

 

Quick and Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Recipe By: Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen
Serving Size: 3

CHICKEN:
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken — approximately, chopped
1/2 cup yogurt — whole-milk preferably
MASALA SAUCE:
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 medium onion — diced fine (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 medium garlic clove — minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
2 teaspoons fresh ginger — grated
1/2 serrano pepper — ribs and seeds removed, flesh minced (see note above), or one large jalapeno [optional]
1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 tablespoon garam masala
14 ounces canned tomatoes — use chopped or chop yourself
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/3 cup heavy cream — or whole milk
1/8 cup fresh cilantro leaves — chopped (or mint, if preferred) for garnish

1. FOR THE CHICKEN: Combine cumin, coriander, cayenne and garam masala in medium bowl. Add the cooked chicken pieces and stir until the chicken has picked up all the dry spices. Then add the yogurt and combine; set aside.
2. FOR THE SAUCE: Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until light golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, chile, tomato paste, and garam masala; cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cream and return to simmer. Remove pan from heat and cover to keep warm. If using milk instead of cream, don’t allow the mixture to boil or it will separate.
3. Add the chicken yogurt mixture to the pan. Allow the mixture to warm up gently and when it’s hot, taste for seasonings. Add chicken broth if needed if the sauce is too thick. Stir in cilantro or sprinkle it on top as a garnish and serve over hot basmati rice.