the best butternut squash soup you’ll ever have

You think I might be kidding… but I made this soup twice last week!  I’ve been trying to make more soups and cook vegetarian dinners four times a week, so that might be part of what made this recipe so perfect for us.  I think also that the additions of garam marsala (a classic Indian spice blend)*, yogurt, and lime hit the spot for Elliott and me… and Lena too, who is learning to eat her curries along with us. 

And of course, the perfect side for a hearty soup is always warm whole wheat biscuits drizzled with honey… yum! 

Here’s the recipe with my adaptations.  Original recipe from FineCooking.com.

• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter  
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced leeks  
• 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots  
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced celery (halve lengthwise then slice crosswise)  
• 2 tsp. minced garlic  
• Kosher salt  
• 1 tsp. garam masala (see below for my recipe)
• 5 cups homemade vegetable broth or low-salt chicken broth  
• 3 Tbs. apple cider  
• 2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice (equivalent to 4 cups when diced)
• 1/4 cup thick whole-milk yogurt, preferably Greek  
• Freshly ground black pepper  
• 1-1/2 tsp. fresh lime juice  
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro  

Directions

1.  In a 4- to 5-quart saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium-low heat. When hot, add the shallots, leeks, celery, garlic, and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir well, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the aromatics are softened, 8 to 10 minutes. 
2. Stir in 1 tsp. kosher salt and the garam masala.
3. Add the butternut squash, vegetable broth, and cider, stir well, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very tender and the soup is full-flavored, 7 to 20 minutes.
4. Take the pan off the heat and let the soup cool for 5 minutes. 
5. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender (fill the jar no more than half full and vent the lid, topping it with a folded kitchen towel to prevent hot splashes). Wipe the pan clean and put the soup back into the pan.
6. Add the yogurt and 1/2 tsp. of the lime juice. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings with more salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed.
7. Ladle into 8 soup bowls and garnish each serving with 1 to 2 tsp. chopped cilantro.

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground pepper 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

 Mix all spices together and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.