Butternut Squash And Apple Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups sliced leeks, parts only
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 6 cups butternut squash, peeled and roughly diced
• 3 cups diced apples, peeled and roughly
• 2 teaspoons toasted dry rub seasonings
• 6 1/2 cups chicken stock
• sea salt, preferably gray salt
• 1/8 cup fennel seed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/8 cup pure california chili powder (about .5-ounce)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Recipe

• 1 melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, and cook until it turns nut brown.
• 2 add the leeks and cook about 2 minutes.
• 3 add the garlic and saute briefly to release its fragrance.
• 4 add the squash and apples, raise the heat to high, and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
• 5 stir in the toasted spice rub and cook briefly to toast it, about 1 minute.
• 6 add the stock or broth-water mixture, bring to a simmer, and partially cover.
• 7 gently simmer and cook until the squash and apples are tender, about 40 minutes.
• 8 transfer in batches to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
• 9 return to the pot, reheat to serving temperature, and season with salt.
• 10 divide the soup among warmed bowls and garnish each portion with some of the walnuts, if using.
• 11 serve immediately.
• 12 toasted spice rub:.
• 13 makes 1/2 cup.
• 14 in a small heavy pan over medium heat, combine the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns.
• 15 when the fennel turns light brown, work quickly.
• 16 turn on the exhaust fan, add the red pepper flakes, and toss, toss, toss, always under the fan.
• 17 immediately turn the spice mixture out onto a plate to cool.
• 18 put in a blender with the chili powder, salt, and cinnamon and blend until the spices are evenly ground.
• 19 if you have a small spice mill or a coffee grinder dedicated to grinding spices, grind only the fennel, coriander, pepper, and chili flakes.
• 20 pour into a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients.