Spiced Squash Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place the squash, cut side down, on baking sheets and roast for 45 minutes, or until flesh is soft. Scoop out the flesh into a large bowl.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Saute the onion, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook 1 minute. Add the apples and sherry and simmer for 10 minutes, or until apples soften.
• Puree batches of the squash flesh and broth in a food processor or blender. Transfer the squash puree to a large saucepan. Puree the apple/sherry mixture and stir into pureed squash.
• Heat over medium heat and season with salt, pepper and cayenne, to taste.

Steps:

• For the soup: Put the oil into a large saucepan and, when it is hot, add the ginger, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and paprika and cook for 1 minute. Add the butternut squash and broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until the squash is very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Working in small batches, puree the squash and liquid in a blender until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Pour into a clean pot to reheat.
• For the asparagus: Place a skillet over medium heat and add the butter. When it begins to foam, add the fennel seeds, salt and asparagus and saute for a few minutes until the asparagus is bright green and tender but still crunchy.
• To serve: Ladle the hot soup into a serving bowl and garnish with the asparagus.
• Cook's Note: When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish or saucepan over a medium-high heat. Fry the onions with a pinch of salt for 7 mins, or until softened and just caramelised. Add the garlic, chilli and ras el hanout, and cook for 1 min more.
• Stir in the squash and lentils. Pour over the stock and season to taste. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 25 mins or until the squash is soft. Blitz the soup with a stick blender until smooth, then season to taste. To freeze, leave to cool completely and transfer to large freezerproof bags.
• Stir in the coriander leaves and ladle the soup into bowls. Serve topped with the dukkah, yogurt and extra coriander leaves.

Steps:

• Combine the squash, olive oil, red pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric and 1 1/2 cups water in a pot with a large pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, until the squash is very tender.
• Once the squash has cooled, purée it in a blender on high for 30 seconds. Pass through a fine-mesh sieve. When completely cool, season to taste with the lime juice, salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, and garnish with mint and a few drops of olive oil.