Butternut Him Up

www.cookinglight.com

A "friend" shared a recipe on Facebook.  The recipe was intriguing because it had all my favorite components, and I really admire this person in real life.  However, I did not have the exact items so I decided to wing it.  This is where my stomach and my taste buds show how consistent they are with my brain.  (They are both conflicted.)  The soup was called "Jalapeno Ginger Soup" from Sunset Magazine, however I did not have Jalapenos, I had Serrano peppers and I did not have cayenne pepper but I did have brown sugar and whip cream.  (Don't ask how, I got from cayenne to whip cream, it just happens that way for me.) So I improvised....And this is what I came up with.

Ginger Pepper Butternut Soup, which I have affectionately renamed "Butter Him Up Soup" because this is the way to my love's heart.  Directly into his mouth, through his tummy and then simultaneously penetrates his heart and...his uh, yeah heart!  (Yes, his big loving compassionate patient, heart!)   This butternut soup is savory, spicy with a little heat and a little sweet.  (Hmm...kind of like me.)  I think you will like it.  I have made it twice in the last week and my kids are also crazy for it.  It is super easy and will warm you and them up, on any brisk fall day.

Here is what  you need:

2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

3 tablespoons of grated Fresh ginger

2 Serrano Peppers (or Jalapeno will do the job)-seeded and chopped

4 cloves of garlic-minced

3.5 to 4 pounds of butternut pealed and cubed in 1"cubes

3 cups of chicken broth

1/3 cup of brown sugar

1 tablespoon of sea salt

3 tablespoons (or more) of heavy whipping cream

Saute grated fresh ginger, minced Serrano peppers and garlic in large stock pot until  slighted golden.  Add cubed butternut, chicken broth, brown sugar, sea salt and 3 cups of water and stir. Bring all to boil, then reduce heat cooking until butternut is tender (usually about 20-30 minutes depending on how big your chunks of butternut are).  The key is that you want to be able to mush with a fork easily (bad cooking lingo, sorry). Next, in a blender, in batches, puree until smooth.  Once you have blended all, return to stock pot and add whipping cream.  Sometimes when I am feeling a little bad, I had a little bit more whipping cream, because whip cream will solve all your problems....

Serve with Parmesan toast or in your favorite "big old mug" and sit by the fire and ask your sweetie for whatever you want.... This soup will warm them right up into a "whatever you want" spell.   This makes 8 full servings and it freezes nicely. You know, it is never a bad idea to keep a batch of "Butter Him Up" anything on hand.

(I think it would work on your co-worker or boss however put it in a cute jar, leave it on their desk and try not to appear sneaky.)

Peace, Love and I hope you get whatever you want....A