Butternut & peanut butter soup
- Preparation and cooking time
- Total time
- Easy
- Serves 2
A warming, filling hearty soup perfect with crusty fresh bread for a filling meal. Serves 2 as a main or 4 as a starter.
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed (removing seeds and pith)
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 large onion, sliced
- 1/2 red chilli, chopped
- 1 large tbsp peanut butter (crunchy or smooth, optional)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 bay leaves
- 500ml chicken stock
- 2 tbsp oil or small knob of butter
- 2 thick slices bread (better if a little stale)
- Sour cream and coriander to garnish
- Salt and pepper to season
Method
- STEP 1Heat the oil or butter in a large pan and add the butternut, carrots and onion. Fry gently for about 10 minutes to soften.
- STEP 2Add the chicken stock, bay leaves, chilli, cinnamon and nutmeg. Season well with salt and pepper. Cover and leave to simmer on a medium heat for 15 minutes.
- STEP 3Whilst the vegetables are simmering, cut off the crusts from the bread and cut into crouton sized chunks, approx 2cm square. Heat a splash of oil and gently fry in a frying pan, turning regularly, until golden brown and crisp on all sides. When cooked, remove from pan and cover with kitchen towel to keep warm.
- STEP 4When the butternut, carrot and onion are soft and cooked through, remove from the heat and pour into a food blender. Add the peanut butter and blend until liquidised. If using crunchy peanut butter you may still have some small nuts left but this adds a delicious crunch to the soup)
- STEP 5Pour into serving bowls, top with the croutons, sour cream and chopped coriander. Enjoy with fresh bread.
