Creamy Chilli Butternut Squash Recipes

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH CHILLI & CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Cut 1 peeled and deseeded butternut squash into large cubes, about 4cm/1½in across, then toss in a large roasting tin with 1 tbsp of the olive oil.
• Roast for 30 mins, turning once during cooking, until golden and soft.
• While the butternut squash cooks, melt 1 tbsp butter with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan, then add 2 diced onions, 1 thinly sliced garlic clove and ¾ of the 2 deseeded and finely chopped red chillies.
• Cover and cook on a very low heat for 15-20 mins until the onions are completely soft.
• Tip the butternut squash into the pan, add 850ml hot vegetable stock and 4 tbsp crème fraîche, then whizz with a stick blender until smooth. For a really silky soup, put the soup into a liquidiser and blitz it in batches.
• Return to the pan, gently reheat, then season to taste.
• Serve the soup in bowls with swirls of crème fraîche and a scattering of the remaining chopped chilli.

THAI BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH COCONUT MILK (CREAMY, SPICY)

Steps:

• Heat oil in Instant Pot at Saute Setting. Add onion, garlic, ginger and cook stirring often until onions are soft and has started brown slightly at edges. (4-5 minutes)
• Add curry paste and continue saute for 2 more minutes or until curry paste is fragrant, releases oil, and darkens in color.
• Add squash pieces, bouillon cube, 5 cups of water, lemon grass stalk (broken in half) with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Place the lid of Instant Pot. Seal and set vent to "sealing" position. Cook at high pressure for 8 minutes. Quick Release, open, and remove lemon grass.
• Add coconut milk, lime zest. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Quick release. (You can also simmer soup for this step, covered for 10 minutes on saute setting.)
• Puree the soup with immersion blender to smooth consistency. Or Work in batches and puree soup in stand mixer/blender. Add back to pot. Mix in lime juice, black pepper, sugar. (Stir well so sugar is dissolved.) Taste and adjust seasonings with more salt, sugar, and lime juice.
• Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with toppings of choice. I recommend one or all - black pepper, toasted pumpkin seeds, scallion, cilantro, red onion, red radish. Serve and enjoy!

THAI BUTTERNUT SQUASH RED CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallots and saute them for 5-6 minutes or until they just begin to get golden. Add the butternut squash and grated ginger, stir to coat with the oil.
• Add the red curry paste, yellow curry powder and stir until all the butternut squash is nicely coated. Continue to cook the curry paste for 2-3 minutes or until it's fragrant. Add the broth, coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar. Let the sauce come to a simmer before covering. Lower the heat and allow the squash to cook all the way through, about 12-18 minutes. You'll know it's done when you can easily pierce the butternut squash with the tip of a knife. Stir in the baby spinach and allow it to wilt.
• Serve with basmati rice topped with crushed nuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.

CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add squash and saute until fork-tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic, sage, and thyme; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Fold in cream and spinach; bring to a simmer. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. Add ziti and toss until evenly coated. Cook until sauce has thickened, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Divide between 8 bowls. Top with walnuts and more Parmesan.

COD WITH MISO-BUTTERNUT SQUASH SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook shallot, garlic, and ginger, stirring often, until shallot is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add miso and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add squash, salt, maple syrup (if using), and 4 cups water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover pot. Cook until squash is very tender, 20-25 minutes.
• Carefully purée squash and cooking liquid with an immersion blender until smooth. (Alternatively, you can carefully use a standard blender and work in 2 batches, keeping a towel over the lid and transferring to a medium bowl as you go.) Do ahead: Purée can be made 3 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
• Bring squash purée to a simmer over medium heat (return to same pot if you puréed in a standard blender). Season cod lightly with salt. Reduce heat to low and place cod in sauce (it should be completely covered). Cover pot and cook cod, turning over halfway through, until fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork, 15-17 minutes. Remove pot from heat and gently stir lemon juice into sauce.
• Divide rice among bowls and ladle cod and sauce over. Top with cilantro and serve with chili crisp and lemon wedges for squeezing over.