Creamy Butternut Soup

From

Makes 4 – 6 Servings

Ingredients:

2 butternut squash, halved and seeded

Softened butter, for rubbing on squash, plus 2 tablespoons

Salt and pepper

Freshly grated nutmeg

1 bulb garlic, ends cut to expose cloves

1 large or 2 medium onions, chopped

2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and chopped

10 leaves sage, thinly sliced

6 cups chicken stock

A pinch of espelette or cayenne, to taste

About 1/3 cup heavy cream

Toppings: toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), fried sage leaves, chorizo crumbles or crispy strips of salami

Directions:

Arrange the squash halves on a baking sheet and rub with softened butter; season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Dress the garlic with olive oil, salt and pepper and wrap in foil. Roast the squash and garlic for about 1 hour, let both cool to handle.

Roasted Garlic

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, apples, sage, salt and pepper; cook, partially covered until very tender, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock, squash and roasted garlic cloves squished from their skins. Puree with an immersion blender, then add the cream, blend again and season with espelette or cayenne, just a pinch to your taste. Simmer over low heat until ready to serve.