Butternut Squash and Spinach Soup With Chili and Cilantro
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red chili pepper, finely sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 butternut squash
- 12 ounce fresh cilantro
- 1 cup vegetable broth or 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons dry sherry
- 4 tablespoons lentils, any type
- 1 -1 12 ounce spinach leaves
- salt & freshly ground black pepper
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or small stockpot.
- Reserve a few slices of chili to use as a garnish and add the rest of it to the oil.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, over a medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, peel the squash.
- Cut it in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds and pith with a metal spoon.
- Cut the flesh into bite-sized chunks.
- When the onion has been frying for 10 minutes, add the squash and stir well.
- Raise the heat under the pan to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until the squash pieces are starting to turn golden brown.
- Meanwhile, pick the tender cilantrostalks from the leaves and keep them separate.
- Pour the broth and sherry into the saucepan, then add the cilantro stalks and lentils and bring to a boil.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until the squash is very tender.
- While the soup is simmering, cut the spinach into strips.
- Remove the soup from the heat and allow it to cool briefly.
- Then puree the mixture using a hand-blender.
- Return the soup to the saucepan and heat through.
- Stir in the spinach and two-thirds of the cilantro leaves and stir through the hot soup just until they are wilted.
- Taste and add salt and pepper as necessary, and adjust the consistency if desired with a little water.
- Pour the soup into serving bowls, garnish with the reserved cilantro and chili and sprinkle with a little more salt and pepper before taking it to the table.
olive oil, red chili pepper, onion, garlic, butternut squash, cilantro, vegetable broth, sherry, lentils, salt
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/butternut-squash-and-spinach-soup-with-chili-and-cilantro-413173 (may not work)