AUTUMNAL ASIAN BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

The clocks have gone back this week and the nights are chugging along, getting earlier each day. On these cold evenings sometimes all you crave for dinner is a hot bowl of delicious soup. With Autumn in full swing, the butternut squash is at its best right now and makes for a fitting star to this delicious broth alongside some roasted red peppers, chili and coconut milk. The Asian touches in this recipe will help you too cling on to those memories of summertime and if you are British, your going to need as much help with that as possible.

Asian Butternut Squash Soup

A Good Glug Of Olive Oil

2 Chopped Red Onions

1 Chopped Whole Red Chili

1 Large Grated Garlic Clove

1 Tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves

2 Chopped Jarred Roasted Red Peppers

500g Butternut Squash Flesh

400ml Light Coconut Milk

450ml Vegetable Stock

Salt And Pepper To Season

Handfull Of Chopped Coriander Leaves 

1. Begin by placing a large pot on the stove on a medium heat and pour a good glug of olive oil. Add in the onion, chili, garlic and thyme and fry until the onions are beginning to soften.
2. Add in the peppers and squash and fry for a further 5 minutes, stirring everything as you go before adding in the coconut milk and stock. Give everything a big old mix together and then bring to the boil before reducing to a simmer for 30 minutes.
3. After simmering, remove from the heat and using a hand blender, blend carefully (the soup will be super hot) to the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper and stir through the coriander leaves, taste and season some more if needed.

Obviously when  you have a bowl of soup you need to serve it with giant slabs of crusty bread to mop up every last drop and with this bad boy your going to want too. The coconut and chili work together to form a subtle heat that works beautifully with that final flourish of fresh coriander to turn the humble butternut squash into an Asian sensation. To come home to the smell of those gorgeous flavors on these autumnal nights is worth braving the cold mornings to commute to work everyday knowing that's this soup is waiting for you on your return. Makes you kinda wish it was cold everyday really doesn't it!