Mexican Flavored Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Food

MEXICAN FLAVORED ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Peel the butternut squash and then cube them into half-inch pieces. Place them in a bowl and add 2 tbsp of olive oil and salt to taste. Mix well.
• Layer a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with oil. Spread the cubed butternut squash in a single layer. Bake them at 425 F, turning a couple of times in between until browned and tender. It took me about 30 minutes.
• In a small pan, dry roast the ancho chilies until aromatic. I was unable to get Ancho chilies and hence used the Indian dry red chili. Keep it aside.
• Add the toasted red chili, vegetable broth, and 1 cup of water and let it come to a boil. Simmer for about 5 minutes and then add the roasted squash. Add cumin powder and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
• Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy. At this stage, if the soup is too thick, add more water and bring it to the preferred consistency.
• Add salt and pepper as needed and transfer it to the serving bowl. Garnish with cilantro and sour cream (optional). I also served the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with some roasted corn to add crunch.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the squash pieces cut-side up on the baking sheet. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and brush all of it over the tops and insides of the squash halves. Season generously with salt and pepper. Roast until knife tender, about 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Chop onion into medium dice. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add RawSpiceBar's Pumpkin Spices and stir for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
• When the squash is ready, set the baking sheet on a wire rack until the squash is cool enough to handle. Using a large spoon, scoop the flesh into the saucepan.
• Add broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally and breaking up any large pieces of squash, until the flavors meld, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and stir in the cream.
• Using a blender, purée the soup in batches until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with the pumpkin seeds, if using.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400.
• Cut the squash in half, seed it, and quarter it.
• Brush well with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Place cut side up in a baking dish and roast until squash is soft and browned at the edges, 45 minutes-1 hour.
• When squash is tender throughout, scoop flesh from skin and set aside.
• These steps can be done ahead of time and frozen for later use.
• Cook onion in butter over medium low heat until soft.
• Onion should be sweated, not cooked till brown or caramelized.
• Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
• Add the wine and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced to nearly dry (about ten minutes).
• Combine the herbs and spices (thyme through fresh parsley) in a cheesecloth bundle/bouquet garni, add it to the pot.
• Add the squash pulp to the pot.
• Gradually add the chicken stock to desired thickness (you may not need all 4 cups), and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to simmer, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer soup for 20 minutes.
• Remove cheesecloth bundle/bouquet garni, and puree soup with hand blender or food processor until it is the desired consistency.
• Serve hot.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Score the butternut squash halves being care not to go too deep. Peel garllic cloves and cut one in half. Rub the cut garlic over the edges of the squash. Drizzle olive oil over squash, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the whole garlic cloves in the hole of each squash half. Place the rosemary sprig lengthwise across the squash. Put squash into a baking dish and roast for about an hour and fifteen minutes. When done remove from oven and let cool about 15 minutes or until easy to handle. Remove rosemary sprigs. Don't worry if there are still bits of rosemary on the squah. Peel skin off with your fingers and place squash into a large dutch oven. Add 8 cups water and chicken flavoring. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer. Add chili powder and cumin seeds. Simmer about 2 hours. Puree in blender or use and immersion blender. Add water if you'd like it thinner. Add more chili powder if you like it spicier. Ladle into individual bowl and garnish with a tablespoon of sour cream and sprinkle with cilantro if desired.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400°F.
• Using a sharp knife, cut Squash in half length wise, remove seeds, and fibers, sprinkle with oil, salt, pepper place onto a baking sheet and roast until it feels somewhat soft to the touch, and a knife penetrates easily, about 45-1 hour. Remove from the oven and, when cool enough to handle, Scoop out the pulp into a bowl and set aside.
• While the squash is cooling, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
• Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant and the skins have loosened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and, while still warm, place the nuts in a kitchen towel. Rub the towel vigorously to remove the skins; do not worry if small bits of skin remain. Chop and set aside. (or use a coffee blender).
• In a dutch oven over med low heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and garlic cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the pulp, broth, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and pepper. bring to a boil.Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavors.
• Using a hand held blender, blend soup mixture til smooth. If using a regular blender remove pot from heat. Fill the blender with a 1/4 of the soup, cover with a kitchen cloth, make sure to let some air in, so it doesn't explode.
• Blend until completely smooth about 5-10 seconds, add to a clean pan. Continue to do this until you have used all the soup. Reheat gently over medium-low heat, add heavy cream, let simmer 5-10 mins to let flavors blend. . .Season to taste.
• Ladle into warmed bowls and top the soup off with toasted chopped Hazelnuts. Serve.
• Enjoy.