Butternut Squash Soup

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By U:ME

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Soup is always a great starter for a Christmas Day meal, or a speedy lunch anytime throughout winter. Make the soup ahead, and prepare the croutons before serving…

Serves: 4
Cooking time: 1hr 20min

Ingredients:

For the soup:

• 1kg butternut squash
• 3tbsp U:Me Vegetable & Olive Oil blend
• 75g unsalted butter
• 2 shallots peeled and thinly sliced
• 500ml vegetable stock
• 150ml double cream
• ½tsp mild chilli powder
• Sea salt and black pepper

For the Stilton croutons:

• 1 baguette
• 2tbsp U:Me Vegetable & Olive Oil blend
• 100g Stilton cheese, crumbled

To Make:

1. Preheat the oven to Fan Oven 180˚C, Gas Mark 4.
2. Peel and de-seed the butternut squash (keeping the seeds) and dice into cubes.
3. Place the squash into a mixing bowl, pour over 2tbsp of the U:Me oil, season generously and mix well. Tip into a baking dish and roast for 45-50min until softened and starting to take on some colour.
4. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp U:Me oil with the unsalted butter over medium heat and gently sweat the shallots with some seasoning until translucent, add the stock, bring to a simmer and cook for 5min.
5. Transfer to a blender with the cooked squash, cream and blend until smooth, pass through a fine sieve and season to taste. Keep warm.
6. Wash the reserved seeds, removing any left-over squash. Place into a bowl, add the chilli powder, a drizzle of U:Me oil and seasoning, mix well and place onto a baking sheet and roast for 8min.
7. For the croutons, cut the baguette into 8, 2cm thick rounds and cover both sides with the U:Me oil, place on a baking sheet and roast for 10min. Add the crumbled Stilton to each round and place back in the oven for 5min to melt.
8. Serve the soup in bowls, add two croutons and a sprinkle of squash seeds.

Pick up Your Best Ever Christmas magazine, in shops now. Take a look at what’s inside the pages, it’s packed with everything you’ll need for a magical Christmas including brilliant recipes for edible gifts, luscious nibbles, cheesy feasts and dreamy desserts! The magazine comes with a free crafting mini-mag, too!