Friday, January 25, 2008

Happy Meal: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

It is cold and dreary and blah here. I'm thinking it's a day for a big warm bowl of soup.

I'm going to make this soup tonight or this weekend. It's a little work, which stinks because I'm feeling very lazy right now, but it'll be worth it. It is spicy and sweet and yummy and thick without being full of fat. It's Weight Watchers friendly, high in fiber, and just all around good. Mmmmmm soooooup ...

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Makes 14 cups at 3 pts/cup

2 Tbs unsalted butter
2 Tbs olive oil
4 cups chopped large yellow onions
2 Tbs mild curry powder
5 lbs butternut squash (2 large)
1 1/2 lbs sweet apples, such as McIntosh (4 apples)
2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly
ground black pepper
2 cups apple juice or cider

Warm the butter and olive oil in a large stockpot over low heat. Add the onions and curry powder and cook, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the onions are tender. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pot.

Peel the squash, cut in half, and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into chunks. Peel, quarter, and core the apples. Cut into chunks.

Add the squash, apples, salt, pepper, and 2 cups of water to the pot. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 30 to 40 minutes until the squash and apples are very soft. Puree it coarsely in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade or run it through a blender.

Pour the soup back into the pot. Add the apple juice and enough water to make the soup the consistency you like; it should be slightly sweet and quite thick. Check the salt and pepper and serve hot.

This recipe makes a LOT of soup, but it freezes well. I usually serve it with grilled/broiled chicken or a small steak along with a salad or steamed green veggie.

Do you guys have any favorite healthy recipes? I need to get back in the groove of cooking, and new recipes motivate me.

13 comments:

Tina said...

LOOK AT THAT SCALE! You go girl!

And, not to knock the food.. but "apple soup". I don't do warm fruit unless it's in a pie.

I do envy you though... my taste buds are pretty boring. :))

Unknown said...

thanks for stopping by my blog, i'll add you to my daily, google read... :o)

i've had butternut squash ravioli but never soup - might have to try it... winter seems to be the perfect time to try new recipes - don't really have new ones to share though i'm anxious to try this black bean soup i found on the WW site... course, when i make soup - i have to have warm, crusty bread to go along with it... ;o)

HappyBlogChick said...

Hey Jodi - I found these GREAT super high-fiber dinner rolls in the frozen section of our local health/specialty food store that are 1 point each (assuming you eat 1). They're individually frozen so I can just cook 2 (one each for me and hubby) and not go overboard. And they get all yummy and warm with a bit of crusty crunch when you heat them. I don't recall the brand, but peek around your health/specialty freezer section if you have one.

Tina - the soup is more butternutty-curry-y than apple, but the apples are in there. Oh well, I'll look for a fruit-free recipe for next time.

Lidian said...

That soup sounds really good. I love butternut squash. Thank you!

Roni said...

You did NOT just ask me that question, did you? ;~P

http://greenlitebites.com

LMAO

healthy ashley said...

That recipe sounds delicious! Mmm!

And that scale! You definitely own the 130's now!

Swizzlepop said...

YAY another daily weigher and we're like the same. Meaning our start and current ave VERY CLOSE. Although your progress has been WAY better than mine. Keep up hte great work! I need to look through som eof your old posts and maybe I will find some inspiration to exercise more. I just didn't get that gene. UGH ;)
Definitely try and find a BD class in your area. It is a great work out and works your middle in great ways. :)
I have a few recipes in my "food blog"

Susie said...

yum! sounds delish! I am so sure you have seen the WW 0 point garden veggie soup..but if you haven't, the recipe is on my blog...i think on Jan 9. I have links to many good WW recipe sites..including RONI's!! We live on that soup. It has really been helpful in satisfying my hunger. Welcome to the 30's..I hope to join you there someday.

Diana Swallow said...

The soup looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Cooking Light site has a lot of good recipes.

Kate said...

I've posted a few recipes the last couple days, might want to check them out, although my tastes aren't quite as diverse as butternut squash and apple soup! Ha Ha. But you might just find something you like.

And WTG on the scale readings...u go girl!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm butternut apple soup is so tasty.

I post the recipes I try and like, and I just posted my meal plan earlier today, so check it out if you need inspiration. :)

Anonymous said...

You have a very nice blog, good post...keep up the good job

healthy ashley said...

Look at you staying in the 130s! Ahhh, I want to meet you there!

Good job!