Recipe:

Chai-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Cream

Email recipe | Print recipe | Post to Twitter | Post to Facebook

Rate this | Add your comment

Serves 6

Ease into the cooler months with this soup featuring butternut squash and the warm, inviting spices of chai-cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cardamom. Apple cider in both the soup and garnish adds a touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

Apple Cream
1/2 cup crème fraîche
1/4 cup apple cider
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Butternut Squash Soup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup chopped white onion
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 cups (1-inch cubes) butternut squash
3/4 cup chopped fennel
3 1/2 cups gluten-free low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup apple cider
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

First, make the apple cream: combine crème fraîche, apple cider and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate to allow the flavors to combine.

For the soup, melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 6 minutes. Stir in cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cardamom. Cook until fragrant, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Stir in butternut squash, fennel, chicken stock and apple cider. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until the butternut squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Take from heat and let cool.

Blend the soup in small batches until a smooth purée is obtained. Return to pot and stir in milk and salt. Bring soup to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more spice if desired. Serve soup with a generous drizzle of apple cream.

Nutrition

Per serving (About 13oz/369g-wt.): 200 calories (120 from fat), 13g total fat, 8g saturated fat, 5g protein, 19g total carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 40mg cholesterol, 270mg sodium

Tags: Make Ahead, Entertaining, Family Friendly, American, Gluten Free, Wheat Free

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember — we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.