Creamy Curried Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
Warm yourself with this vibrant and creamy Curried Butternut Squash & Apple Soup, perfect for a comforting lunch or snack. This slow-cooked delight combines the natural sweetness of butternut squash and apples with aromatic curry spices, creating an irresistible blend of flavors. Ideal for those chilly days, this dish is not only satisfying but also nutritious. Serve it with a crusty bread for a complete meal. For a vegetarian option, simply swap out the chicken stock for vegetable stock, without compromising on taste.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
onions
2 cups (chopped)
celery
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
curry powder
1 tablespoon (none)
ginger
1/2 teaspoon (none)
butternut squash
3 lbs (peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 inch cubes)
apple
1 lb (peeled, cored, and cut into wedges)
white rice
1/4 cup (none)
chicken stock
6 cups (none)
kosher salt
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter.
2
Add the chopped onions and sliced celery. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables become translucent.
3
Stir in the curry powder and ginger; continue to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes on low heat. This will soften the vegetables and enhance the fragrance of the spices.
4
In a slow cooker, layer the butternut squash cubes, apple wedges, and white rice in that order.
5
Pour the softened vegetable and spice mixture from the skillet into the slow cooker.
6
Add the chicken stock along with the kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
7
Set the slow cooker on high for 1 hour, then reduce the temperature to low and let cook for another 5 hours until the squash and apples are tender.
8
Once cooked, use an immersion blender or transfer to a standard blender in batches to purée the soup to a silky-smooth consistency.
9
Serve hot, garnished with a drizzle of coconut milk or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your nourishing bowl of soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Curried Butternut Squash & Apple Soup?
It is a vibrant, creamy soup that combines the natural sweetness of butternut squash and apples with aromatic curry spices, slow-cooked for deep flavor.
How do I make this soup vegetarian?
To make the soup vegetarian, simply swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock without compromising the taste.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include butternut squash, apples, onions, celery, chicken stock, white rice, and curry spices.
How long does it take to cook in a slow cooker?
The soup cooks for a total of 6 hours: 1 hour on high heat followed by 5 hours on low heat.
Why is white rice included in the recipe?
White rice is layered with the fruit and vegetables and acts as a natural thickener once the soup is pureed.
Can I use a standard blender instead of an immersion blender?
Yes, you can transfer the soup to a standard blender in batches to puree it to a silky-smooth consistency.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
You can garnish the soup with a drizzle of coconut milk or a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
How should the butternut squash be prepared?
The butternut squash should be peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes.
What type of stock is used in the original recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 cups of chicken stock.
How long should I saute the onions and celery?
Saute the chopped onions and sliced celery for 2-3 minutes until they become translucent.
What spices give this soup its flavor?
The primary spices used are curry powder and ginger.
How many pounds of butternut squash are needed?
You will need 3 lbs of butternut squash.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Yes, the apples should be peeled, cored, and cut into wedges.
What are the slow cooker settings for this recipe?
Set the slow cooker on high for 1 hour, then reduce the temperature to low for another 5 hours.
Is this soup recipe considered healthy?
Yes, this dish is both satisfying and nutritious, perfect for a healthy lunch or snack.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is recommended to serve this soup with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.
How much curry powder is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of curry powder.
What kind of butter is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
What is the final texture of the soup?
The soup is pureed until it reaches a silky-smooth and creamy consistency.
How much white rice is added?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of white rice.
When do I add the ginger?
Stir in the ginger along with the curry powder after the onions and celery have softened.
In what order should I layer the ingredients in the slow cooker?
Layer the butternut squash cubes first, followed by the apple wedges, and finally the white rice.
Is this a good recipe for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a comforting delight ideal for chilly days.
How much celery is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of thinly sliced celery.
How many onions are required?
You will need 2 cups of chopped onions.
How do I know when the soup is ready to be blended?
The soup is ready to puree once the squash and apples are tender.
What size should the squash cubes be?
The butternut squash should be cut into 1-inch cubes.
Can I use fresh herbs in this recipe?
Yes, fresh herbs are a great option for garnishing the hot soup.
Is kosher salt used in the seasoning?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
How much black pepper is added?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper.