Sunday, November 4, 2018

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Finger Lakes Riesling
I love butternut squash soup.  This is my new favorite.

Link to recipe from allrecipes Magazine, October/November 2018

1 (2#) butternut squash, halved
2 T. butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper plus more for garnish
1/2 cup unsweetened light coconut milk, plus more for garnish
2 T honey (optional) NOTE: I added.
roasted squash seeds or pepitas (optional)


  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a large foil-lined baking sheet with cooking oil spray.
  2. Put squash, cut side down, on prepared baking sheet. Roast until easily pierced with a knife, 35-40 minutes. Scoop squash from the shell with a large spoon.
  3. Meanwhile, melt butter in a 2-3 quart sauce pan over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until softened and browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in broth, cooked squash, curry powder, salt, cumin and cayenne; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir coconut milk and honey into the squash mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  5. Use an immersion blender or transfer  half the soup to a blender or food processor; puree, covered, until smooth. Repeat with remaining soup. Ladle into bowls and top with a swirl of coconut milk, cayenne and roasted squash seeds.

Hands down the best pairing for this soup is a dry Riesling. Try any Finger Lakes Riesling.

Pumpkin Hummus

Napa, October 2015
This is fantastic! Not just for fall.

Heat 1 TBLS olive oil in a skillet, then add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1 tsp cumin. Cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Blend mixture in a food processor or blender. Add 1 (15-oz) can chickpeas, rinse and drained, 3/4 cup canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp each cayenne, cinnamon, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, Garnish with olive oil and green onions. Serve with pita bread and cut up veggies such as bell pepper strips, carrots and celery.


allrecipes Magazine, October/November 2018