Butternut Squash Soup
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
 
Ingredients
  • 4 oz bacon
  • 2 cups cubed butternut squash
  • 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes (about 1" pieces)
  • 1 can pumpkin puree
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • chopped chives, to garnish
  • *OPTIONAL: ½ cup of cream or coconut milk
  • *OPTIONAL: 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
  1. In non-stick pan, cook the bacon, turning until crisp. Set aside cooked bacon on paper-towel lined plate, and SAVE THE BACON FAT.
  2. Warm the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat, and add some of that bacon fat along with the onions, stirring often until translucent. Add bay leaf and stir. Add butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and another pinch of salt, coating the squash with the onions and oil/fat. Continue to cook until the vegetables begin to caramelize, about 5-10 minutes.
  3. Pour chicken stock into the pot, immersing the vegetables in the broth. Add cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg, giving the pot another stir. Turn the heat to high. After it comes to a boil, bring the heat down to low, allowing the vegetables to simmer for 25-30 minutes.
  4. *OPTIONAL STEP: If you'd like to sweeten and/or lighten the flavor, now is the time to add the maple syrup and/or cream.
  5. Add pumpkin puree, a pinch of salt and pepper, and give the pot another stir, allowing everything to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.
  6. Take the pot off the stove and REMOVE the bay leaf. Using a Vitamix or a blender, puree your soup until desired consistency, Pour into bowls and garnish with bacon and chives (and extra maple syrup and another drizzle of bacon fat, if you are so inclined).
Notes
Obvs, this recipe can magically become vegan and/or dairy-free by eliminating the bacon and cream.

Whole30 compliant as long as your bacon is compliant and if you eliminate maple syrup.
Recipe by Finding Bread and Wine at https://findingbreadandwine.com/butternut-squash-soup-summer-heartbreak-cure-all/