Curried Coconut-Butternut Squash Soup...and some thanks.

Butternut Squash. What to do with you? Recall if you will, my recently begun expedition into the wide world of squash...in all of its glory. Switch gears. I needed soup today...ah, the days when I used to make soup at least once a week...where did you go? I miss you dear, comforting friend. Switch gears. While flipping through Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express I decided I would make soup this morning...so that I could refill my bowl all day long. Bring it all together. And there just happened to be a soup recipe that used Butternut Squash in there...two birds, one stone!Curried Coconut-Butternut Squash Soup from Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express Cook two cups of chopped squash in a few tablespoons of vegetable oil, along with a diced onion, a teaspoon of curry powder (yay, another use for my homemade curry powder), a teaspoon of cumin and a half teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook the vegetables and spices until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Add five cups of chicken broth or water and a cup of coconut milk; bring to a boil and cook for about six minutes or until the squash is tender and easily pieced with a knife. So, I began by peeling a butternut squash. I used an ice cream scoop to make quick work of the few seeds. I sliced it to get it ready. Then I diced it for use in the soup. Chop an onion and add it with the squash and spices to the heated oil in a soup pot. Once the onion is soft, add the liquids and simmer until tender...not very long! I decided to puree about 3/4 of the soup because I wanted a bit more body than was there. Then I added sea salt and black pepper. I also cooked up some brown rice and added it to the bowl before ladling in the soup. Simple and pretty darn quick. Next time I'll add more seasoning...because it was quite bland...but the flavors did develop more over time. Mix it all up... ...and dig in. I bet it'll be even better tomorrow!I am submitting this to Deb of Kahakai Kitchen for Souper Sunday!

A big thanks to the uber-funny Alyssa (& new mama) of Angel in the Kitchen for passing me this awesome award!

And another big thanks to my pal Miranda of My Food and Life Encounters (who is currently cooking..quite successfully..from her extended stay suite while in between homes!) for passing me these awesome awards!