It seems Pepper Delight has already been in a Fall mood since a month, all my recent recipe posts have been flying high the yellow orange theme, LOL!!

So, it’s the time of the year when summer starts letting go of its steam, the days get cooler, the occasional chills, unpacking our winter clothes, shopping for Halloween… and of course our cravings for hot n creamy dishes which kick in as we warm ourselves cozying under a blanket or right next to the fire place. Fall has not officially started here in St. Louis as we have a week more to go and I thought well, how better can it get than a perfect soup to welcome this season.

This is my first attempt with a squash soup coz from where I come from, we are not used to making soups out of winter squash. Although we do love it in savory dishes, like my Pumpkin with Yogurt or my Pumpkin with Red Cowpeas recipes which I frequently include in our daily menu. But, as a recent crush, I must say that this recipe has made it to my fav list.

Butternut squash has got a sweet nutty flavor, and is high in fiber, low fat, and an excellent source of Vitamin A. The soup in itself is creamy from the pureed butternut squash, and roasting it prior to pureeing adds a nice smoky flavour as well. Add a pinch of red chili flakes to give it some spiciness, which also elevates the dish overall making it perfect to enjoy on cold days.

This soup is so easy n yum, and suits well for a light hearty lunch or dinner. You can customize its toppings with a drizzle of cream or your favourite nuts, but I recommend something crunchy which in general compliments creamy soups. And of course, a side of warm crusty bread too!!!

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

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Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Welcoming Fall with a Soulful Bowl of this Cozy n Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Topped with Olive oil and Pepitas, & Served along a side of Toasted Bread…!! 

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword butternut squash, fall soup, soup

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 butternut squash (2lb approx.)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 large yellow onion (roughly chopped)
• 1 medium sized carrot (roughly chopped)
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ tsp red chili flakes
• 4 cups of vegetable/chicken stock
• ½ cup milk cream
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil (as required)
• Cilantro leaves (garnish)
• Pepitas (garnish)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425-degree F. Trim the tip of the squash, slice into two equal halves, and then deseed it. Place it on a baking sheet (as shown in the picture), rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Roast in the preheated oven for 45- 50 minutes or until the squash is cooked well. You may hear a sizzling sound while roasting, which is completely okay.
• Set the sheet aside to cool for 15 minutes. Once cooled, scoop out the flesh with a spoon and keep aside, discard the skin.
• Heat butter in a large pot on a medium flame. Add minced garlic and saute until it turns fragrant. Add onions and carrot, season with salt and red chili flakes, and saute for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onions turned slightly golden on the edges.
• Add the cooked squash to the pot and stir well followed by adding stock, and bring to a boil.
• Once it starts boiling, open the lid and stir once. Reduce to a simmer, place the lid back and cook for another 10 minutes on a low flame.
• If you are using an immersion blender, blend the mix in the pot while its cooking, until it turns creamy and smooth.
• Or if you are using a mixer grinder, remove the pot from the flame once cooked and allow the mix to cool completely. Once cooled, puree it in your mixer grinder (in batches if needed) until it has a smooth consistency. Pour the puree back to the pot and heat it on a low flame.
• Add the cream and stir well to mix completely. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Your soup is ready.
• Serve hot soup garnished with pepitas and cilantro leaves, topped with a drizzle of olive oil, along with a side of toasted bread.

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I’m sooo pumped up with my New Year resolution to bring you all the healthy stuffs this 2017, and so here is another simple recipe from my pantry to Detoxify…… A Clear Chicken Soup packed with the flavours of Cilantro, Ginger, and Carrots with a drizzle of Lemon Juice! The perfect comforting Appetizer on any wintery day…

Talking about the weather, we have been hit this winter with cold chilly winds, ice storms & freezing rains, limiting us to indoors a lot. And that always calls for something warm… Inside & Out! There is nothing better than curling under a blanket right next to your fireplace, with a bowl of soup in hand, watching a romantic movie or reading a book, and staying warm and cozy…

This simple clear soup is easy to prepare, flavourful, and packed with proteins, vegetables and nutrients. Cilantro being an ingredient in the green paste for this recipe plays a critical role in flavour as well as adding health benefits. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, & dietary fibers which help reduce blood cholesterol levels. Ginger; another ingredient used today provides anti-inflammatory properties thereby helping with digestion. These ingredients are perfect to boost your immune system and clear out any uneasiness, indigestion; keeping you strong and active throughout the weather.

This recipe is also good to empty your refrigerator; just throw into the cooker any leftover proteins, like chicken or turkey. And if it’s bone-in, even better! I badly wanted to include celery in my recipe today but ran out of it in my pantry, so had to limit myself with carrots & onions.

So all set to cleanse your body? Sip a bowl of this wonderful detox soup to feel alive again.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!!!

Follow me on Instagram and tag #pepperdelightblog to all your pictures of Pepper Delight recipes you try out. Rate below if you love it…!

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Chicken Cilantro Detox Soup

A Clear Chicken Soup packed with the flavours of Cilantro, Ginger, and Carrots with a drizzle of Lemon Juice! The perfect comforting Appetizer on any wintery day!

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken soup, detox soup, soup

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 4 pearl onions
• ½ tsp black pepper corns
• 1 small bunch of cilantro leaves
• 1 large chicken breast/left over chicken
• 2 carrots (chopped into bite size pieces)
• 1 medium onion (chopped into cubes)
• 1 small piece of ginger (finely chopped)
• 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt (as required)
• Pepper (as required)
• 1 cup water
• Lemon slices

Instructions

• Grind the pearl onions, pepper corns and cilantro leaves to make a green paste.
• Heat oil in a pressure cooker; add the sliced onions, chopped ginger, and saute until fragrant.
• Add chicken, green paste, carrots, chicken broth, water and a pinch of salt, place the lid and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Take the cooker off the flame, and allow it to rest till the pressure goes.
• Take out the cooked chicken breast from the cooker and shred using a fork or slice into small pieces.
• Add the shredded chicken back to the cooker, mix and season well with salt and pepper.
• Serve soup hot with a drizzle of lemon juice and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Notes

1. You can add any vegetables of your choice including celery, zucchini.
2. Use leftover boned chicken pieces while making the soup as the bones enhance the flavour.
3. You can substitute chicken with Turkey.
4. I have used Swanson’s Chicken Broth which is gluten free.
5. If you are using a whole chicken, replace stock with water while following the instructions.

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