butternut squash soup- thai

By Jody

Ingredients

• 2 TBS olive oil
• 2 Thai chilis, sliced in half lengthwise
• 1 small onion (about 130g), diced
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 TBS peeled grated ginger
• 3 stalks lemongrass
• 3 cups (660g) cooked butternut squash flesh*
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup plain soy milk
• salt to taste (I used about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
• juice of one lime (about 2 tablespoons)
• Optional Toppings
• coconut milk
• toasted coconut
• toasted pumpkin seeds
• chopped cilantro
• chopped green onions

Preparation

Step 1

Peel the outer leaves of the lemongrass stalk until you get to the tender center. Slice the lemongrass thinly. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions and garlic and let them cook for about 4 minutes, until the onions turn translucent. Make sure that the heat isn't too high so that the onions and garlic don't burn. Add the ginger and lemongrass and cook for another minute.
Add the vegetable broth, Bring heat up to a medium-high. Once the stock to boils, add butternut squash, soy milk, salt and turmeric (if you're using it), and bring soup to boil again. Add lime juice and give everything a good stir. Turn off the heat.
Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can scoop everything into a blender and blitz until smooth.
Serve soup with coconut milk, toasted coconut, pumpkin seeds, cilantro, and green onions if you like.

Recipe Type: appetizer, vegan, gluten free

Notes

Roasting Butternut Squash: For this soup, you're going to want pick a squash that is about 3 pounds. Cut the squash in half, dig out the seeds, and rub 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil onto each half. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the squash is easily pierced with a fork. Scoop out the butternut squash flesh for the soup. You'll end up with a bit more squash than you need for the soup. Save the remainder for the a gluten-free butternut squash cookie recipe that's coming soon!