Butternut Squash Soup

I have never tasted Squash while being in India. Thanks to my husband, I am now getting to try different,seasonal types of fruits and veggies.From early Fall through Winter,Winter Squashes are aplenty and at their best too.Butternut Squashes have a hard rind and a golden orange flesh. When I was wondering how to use the Squash, I decided to try making a soup out of it.

It turned out to be tasty enough...though I was initially not sure how it would taste :)

Here is the recipe to make Butternut Squash Soup

Time: Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level: Easy

Ingredients:

• Butternut Squash - 1 peeled and cubed
• Onion - 1 medium sized
• Garlic - 3 flakes finely chopped
• Ginger - 2" piece finely chopped
• Butter - 2 tsp
• Water - 3 cups
• Salt - to taste
• Pepper - to taste
• Mint leaves/Basil - to garnish (Optional)

Preparation:

1. In a pan,Heat the butter and add the chopped Onions and fry till the onions turn soft pink.
2. Add the chopped Ginger and Garlic,cook until fragrant for about a minute.
3. Now Add the cubed Butternut Squash to this along with 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
4. Add a little salt to taste and simmer until the Squash gets cooked well. 
5. Once cooled, blend it in a mixer to a fine puree.
6. Now return the soup to the pan,Add salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 3-5 mins.
7. Garnish with Mint leaves/Basil.Serve hot.

Cream of Carrot Soup

Wondering what to do with Carrots?? Wanna try something new...Try out this simple,healthy Carrot soup.There is nothing like having a hot bowl of soup on a rainy day with some snacks to go along with it ;)

Time: Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level: Easy

Ingredients:

• Carrots - 1 cup
• Green peas - 1/2 cup
• Onion - 1/2 finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 or 3 flakes (Optional)
• Milk - 1 small cup
• Butter - 2 tsp
• Maida - 1 tbsp
• Water - 1 cup
• Salt - to taste
• Pepper - to taste
• Mint leaves/Basil - to garnish (Optional)

Preparation:

1. Boil the Carrots in water until they are cooked. Once cooled, blend it in a mixer to a fine paste.
2. In a pan,heat the butter and fry the chopped onions until it turns pink. If you like the flavor of garlic,add 2-3 crushed flakes to the onions and fry.
3. Now make a fine paste with the maida flour and a little milk. 
4. Add this paste and rest of the milk to the fried onions along with the Carrots and Peas.
5. Mix well and simmer until the raw smell disappears.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Garnish with a little cream or grated cheese and Mint leaves.Serve hot.

Chef's tip - The water used to boil the veggies can be used to make the soup. Adding maida & milk helps in giving the creamy texture to the soup,skip it if you don't like.

 

 

Mixed Vegetable Soup

Most of us prefer to start off with an appetizer,whenever we dine out.Soups are the best appetizers to start with.There is nothing like having a hot bowl of soup on a rainy day with some snacks to go along with it ;)
This particular recipe is for my favorite Vegetable soup.

Time: Making Time (15 mins)

Difficulty level: Easy

Ingredients:

• Finely chopped mixed veggies - 1 cup (Carrots,Cauliflower,Green peas,Beans,Potato)
• Onion - 1 finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 or 3 flakes (Optional)
• Milk - 1 medium-sized cup
• Butter - 2 tsp
• Maida - 1 tbsp
• Water - 1 cup
• Salt - to taste
• Pepper - to taste
• Mint leaves - to garnish

Preparation:

1. Boil the vegetables in water until they are cooked. Add a pinch of salt to it, as it helps cook faster.
2. In a pan,heat the butter and fry the chopped onions until it turns pink. If you like the flavor of garlic,add 2-3 crushed flakes to the onions and fry.
3. Now make a fine paste with the maida flour and a little milk. 
4. Add this paste and rest of the milk to the fried onions along with the other cooked veggies.
5. Mix well and simmer until the raw smell disappears.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Garnish with a little cream and Mint leaves.Serve hot

Chef's tip - The water used to boil the veggies can be used to make the soup. Adding maida helps in giving the creamy texture to the soup,skip it if you dont like.