Butternut Squash & Red Pepper Soup

Happy New Year!

Hands up everyone who’s made a resolution to eat better in 2014?

I can’t think of a better transition from festive gluttony to better health than with this lovely soup. It’s so tasty you don’t even realise you’re trying to be healthy! After days (and weeks) of stuffing my face and working through boxes of chocolates, it feels really good to eat something that makes me feel better inside.

Rene Bean gave me this recipe, which she adapted from various Weight Watcher recipes in a quest for a tasty “zero point” soup (she blogged about her “zero point” currienaush soup here). She’s been making big batches of this soup for at least a year… a telltale sign of a successful recipe!

And it’s suitable for vegetarians!

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled & roughly diced
• 3 red onions, roughly diced
• 2 red peppers (I used long pointed red peppers, but any will do)
• 2 pints/1.2 litres stock (I dissolved 4 vegetable stock pots, you can use cubes or chicken/beef/ham stock if you prefer)
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp ground mixed spice

First, I sweated the onions in a teeny bit of the stock, then added the butternut squash.

Next, I added the red peppers. Isn’t it all so pretty?

Then I added my spices. This makes it a tad fiery (but not devastatingly so). Adjust/omit the spices to your own taste.

I added the rest of the stock, brought to the boil, then simmered for 30 mins, until the squash was soft.

I took it off the heat and blended with a hand blender until it was smooth and glossy. Some red pepper slivers will remain; if you’d prefer complete silkiness, feel free to sieve at this point.

I served with a roll & olive spread, but I’m also looking forward to having it with Ryvita & cheese spread when I take it in for work lunches! Delish 🙂

This freezes extremely well and can be doubled/halved easily. It has slotted in nicely to next week’s meal planning. Two words: Taste Sensation.

Care to share your soup recipes with me? Or any “zero points” recipes?

Enjoy 😀

Catherine x

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