Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (Serves 6)

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Why This Soup Shines:

✅ Complex spicing (no bland squash soup here!)
✅ Dairy-free adaptable with soy milk
✅ Elegant presentation with crispy hemp tuiles
✅ Rich in vitamin A + fiber

Ingredients:

For the Soup:

• 2 tbsp butter (or coconut oil for vegan)

• 2 leeks (white/light green parts, diced)

• 1 celery stalk, diced

• 2 carrots, diced

• 4 garlic cloves, peeled

• 8 cups butternut squash (1 large squash, cubed)

• 1 bay leaf

• 2 star anise

• ½ cinnamon stick

• 2 tsp allspice berries (or ½ tsp ground)

• 8 cups water or vegetable broth

• 1 baking potato, diced (for creaminess)

• 1 cup cream (or full-fat coconut milk for vegan)

For Serving:

• Manchego Hemp Tuiles (recipe follows)

• Chopped chives

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Sauté Aromatics

1. Melt butter in large pot over medium heat.

2. Add leeks, celery, carrots, and whole garlic cloves; sauté 5 mins until fragrant.

2. Toast Spices & Squash

1. Add squash, bay leaf, star anise, cinnamon, and allspice; cook 5 mins to bloom spices.

3. Simmer to Develop Flavor

1. Pour in water/broth; simmer 25-30 mins until squash is tender.

2. Add potato; cook 10 more mins.

4. Blend & Strain

1. Remove bay leaf, star anise, cinnamon stick.

2. Purée in batches until ultra-smooth (2 mins per batch).

3. Strain through sieve for silkiest texture.

5. Finish & Serve

1. Whisk in cream/coconut milk; adjust salt to taste.

2. Ladle into bowls; top with:

   • Hemp tuile (see below)

   • Fresh chives

   • Drizzle of hempseed oil

Manchego Hemp Tuiles (Quick Subrecipe)

Makes 6 crisps

• Mix: ½ cup grated Manchego + 2 tbsp hemp hearts + 1 tbsp flour

• Form into 6 thin circles on parchment.

• Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 mins until golden.

Pro Tips:

🔹 Time-saver: Use pre-cubed squash.
🔹 Extra depth: Roast squash first at 400°F for 25 mins.
🔹 Spice swap: Replace allspice with ¼ tsp cloves + ¼ tsp nutmeg.

Health Benefits:

• Butternut squash: 300% daily vitamin A per serving

• Hemp seeds: Complete plant protein

• Star anise: Aids digestion + antiviral properties

Serving Suggestions:

• Holiday starter: Serve in mini pumpkins

• Weeknight dinner: With crusty sourdough

• Meal prep: Freezes well for 2 months

"Like a cozy sweater for your stomach—this soup wraps you in warmth and nourishment." 🧡