Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Fried Sage and Halloumi
This post was originally published here on October 1, 2014. I’ve since updated the photographs and text to better showcase just how delicious this Fall favorite really is!
This delightfully orange soup doesn’t have a single drop of pumpkin in it. And that’s totally fine by me.
I know pumpkin-mania is in full swing right now. But I’ve always been a butternut squash kind of girl. It’s my favorite Fall/Winter vegetable. And I’d choose it any day over pumpkin, even preferring squash pie over pumpkin pie.
My preference for butternut squash goes way back. In fact, you might even say it’s deeply rooted and steeped in family tradition. As my grandfather’s favorite crop to grow on our farm (we even named his Cadillac the “butternut mobile” because he used to drive around with so much butternut squash in the back seats!), butternut squash was a staple in my house growing up. We hardly even gave pumpkin a passing glance.
So FYI – you can expect to see more recipes here using butternut squash than pumpkin. I hope you’re cool with that.
This Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Fried Sage and Halloumi is one of those blissfully uncomplicated dishes that you’ll find yourself repeating over and over again. Just toss all the ingredients for the soup base into a big pot and let it rip. Easy peasy.
The apple provides an additional level of sweetness that pairs exceptionally well with the butternut squash. I just love adding apples to all kinds of dishes this time of year. Both butternut squash and apples can so easily transition between savory and sweet dishes. The possibilities are kind of endless.
I have a rule about puréed soups: they should never be naked. So I fried up some sage leaves (aren’t they the prettiest!?!?) and cubed Halloumi cheese to be used as toppings. Halloumi is a fabulous salty, mild cheese that can withstand the heat (it’s perfect for grilling, too!), and if you haven’t tried it yet, you should change that ASAP.
If you try out this recipe for Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Fried Sage and Halloumi, let me know! And what other soups are you craving this time of year? I typically make at least one big pot of soup each week, and I’d love to hear about some of your favorites!
Cheers,
Liz
Recipe adapted from Foodess
Ingredients
- For the Soup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 4 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. allspice
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- For the Toppings
- 3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 16-18 fresh sage leaves
- 8 ounces Halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- In a large heavy bottom pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients except for the heavy cream. Bring the soup to a boil. Then turn down the heat to maintain a simmer. Simmer, covered, for about 30-35 minutes or until the butternut squash is very tender. Remove the pot from the heat and set it aside to cool briefly.
- Purée the soup using an immersion blender until it's smooth. You can also use a regular blender, making sure to work in batches and being cautious while transferring hot liquids. Return the puréed soup to it's original pot and re-warm it over low heat. Stir in the heavy cream. Taste and add salt and additional black pepper, if desired. Keep the soup warm while you make the toppings.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. It doesn’t have to be very deep. Once the oil is hot, add the sage leaves and fry them for about 20 seconds per side, just until they are starting to crisp slightly. Don't allow them to turn dark brown. Place the fried sage leaves on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Now add the cubed Halloumi cheese to the hot oil, working in batches if necessary. Fry the cheese about 20-30 seconds per side, until golden brown. Place the fried Halloumi cheese on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- To serve, ladle the warm soup into bowls. Top with a few fried sage leaves, fried Halloumi cheese cubes and a drizzle of heavy cream.
- Once cooled, the soup can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Spicy Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup
This post was originally published here on October 24, 2014. I’ve since updated the photos and text. Enjoy!
I’m sneaking in one last cozy soup recipe before it’s officially Spring!
We experienced some weirdly warm weather here in New England last week. It was sunny and nearly 70 degrees for two days in a row. It felt so freaking good to be able to go outside without having to wear 358 pieces of clothing. And almost all of the snow melted away from my backyard and roof (which was extra awesome because my ceiling has been leaking – yikes!).
But the little blip of Spring that we had didn’t last long. And now we’re back to normal March temperatures. So soup it is.
This Spicy Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup is what I like to think of as one of those transition recipes. It’s got plenty of hearty ingredients to fill you right up, like leafy kale and a mix of both sweet potatoes and white potatoes. But it’s also not overly heavy. In fact, the base of this soup is very brothy (can the word “broth” be used as an adverb?), so it almost feels kind of light. It will warm you right up, without weighing you down.
This recipe is perfectly suited for a weeknight meal. It’s all made in just a single pot. And you can have it ready in 30 minutes. Feel free to use either chicken or pork sausage in this recipe. But whatever you do, definitely go for a spicy version of the sausage. I’ve made this soup in the past with sweet Italian sausage, and it just wasn’t the same. You need that little extra little kick from the spicy sausage!
I’m sharing the recipe for this Spicy Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup as part of our monthly #30MinuteThursday series. Which I’m guessing is pretty self explanatory based on the name, but just in case it’s not, it’s a day when myself and a group of some of my blogging friends get together to share quick and easy dinner recipes that can all be made in 30 minutes or less. Just scroll down below and you’ll find the links for all the other recipes this month. Check ’em out and be inspired. Because hangry isn’t a good look on anybody. Trust me. I would know.
Cheers,
Liz
Recipe adapted from The Candid Appetite
Ingredients
- 1 lb spicy sausage (pork or chicken)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, divided
- 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 large bunch curly kale (about 4 cups), stemmed and chopped
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 large russet potato, cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage (if it's still in the casing, remove and discard the casing) and cook until it’s no longer pink, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon and breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Remove the sausage from the pot and place it on a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
- Reduce the heat to medium and warm the olive oil in the same pot. Then add the chopped onion and cook until it's slightly softened, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently while scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen up any browned bits. Add the garlic, salt, black pepper, 1/4 tsp. of the red pepper flakes and the nutmeg and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the kale and let it cook down for about 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and the sweet potato slices. Increase the heat to bring the soup up to a simmer. After 3-4 minutes stir in the russet potato slices and the cooked sausage. Simmer the soup, uncovered, for about 10 minutes more, or until the potatoes are cooked through.
- Remove the soup from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and parsley.
- To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Once cooled, the leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 2-3 days.
One Pot Beef and Tomato Macaroni Soup from The Recipe Rebel
Baked Chicken Ranch Taquitos from Pumpkin ‘N Spice
Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon and Asparagus from Kristine’s Kitchen
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Noodles from Savory Nothings
One Pan Italian Pasta from My Kitchen Craze
Asian Lemon Chicken from Life Made Sweeter
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas from Bake.Eat.Repeat.
Easy Thai Vegetable Pita Pizzas from She Likes Food
Guinness Beef Chili from Flavor the Moments
