James Martin Butternut Squash Soup Food

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the pancetta in a frying pan and fry until crispy. Set aside. Put the squash, onion and garlic in a large roasting tin. Add the honey and rosemary, then roast for about 30 mins, turning squash halfway through, until cooked, tender and golden brown.
• Remove tin from the oven, take out the rosemary and discard. Transfer contents of tin to a food processor with the stock, wine, cream and lemon juice. Season, then blend until smooth.
• Transfer mixture to a large saucepan and reheat. Divide soup between individual bowls and top with a sprinkle of pine nuts and pancetta. Serve with Goat's cheese & rosemary tarts if you like (see Goes well with...').

SWEET POTATO & BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH LEMON & GARLIC TOAST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the sweet potato and butternut squash on a baking tray and add the honey and a drizzle of olive oil. Roast for 40-45 mins until soft and starting to caramelise at the edges, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, fry the onions in 1 tbsp olive oil until soft, then add the garlic, chicken stock, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to the boil, and simmer for 5 mins.
• Remove the sweet potatoes and butternut squash from the oven and add to the pan with the stock. Blend everything until smooth using a stick blender. Stir in most of the cream and bring back to a gentle simmer, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• To make the lemon & garlic toasts, gently warm the olive oil and garlic in a pan over a low heat for a few mins; the garlic should be softened but not browned. Remove from the heat and mix in the butter and lemon zest until smooth. Leave to cool, then stir in the chives and thyme.
• Toast the ciabatta slices, and top each with a spoonful of garlic butter. Serve with the soup, drizzled with the remaining cream, and some black pepper.