Hello! How’s your September going? My two girls have both started high school this year. I have been getting my gardens in shape and doing some Fall decorating.

Autumn is just around the corner, and this is a hearty, warming soup full of delicious nutrition! It is rib sticking healthy comfort food that you will want to make again and again this fall and winter!

This soup is pure goodness in a bowl and pretty enough to serve to and impress guests! I love the rich creaminess of the soup and the toppings that you can sink your teeth into…..my kind of soup in the Fall! The fresh parsley adds brightness to the flavor, and the cumin and coriander give the soup an earthy richness. The honey, djon and splash of apple cider vinegar add that extra zing or umami.

Roasting vegetables makes them sweeter tasting and the browning adds flavor, flavor and more flavor! I am in love with this bowl of soup, and I think you will be too. 🙂

Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Ingredients for Soup Base:

1 Butternut Squash (peeled, seeded and cubed)

6 Carrots (peeled and sliced)

2 Leeks (white parts, sliced)

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon of Ground Cumin

1 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1 Teaspoon of Coriander

1 Teaspoon of Ground Fennel

1 Quart of Low Sodium Chicken Broth (I used this)

1/2 Cup of Coconut Milk (I used Thrive Brand with no additives)

1 Tablespoon of Dijon Mustard

1 Tablespoon of Honey

1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

1 1/2 Teaspoons of Dried Oregano

1 Teaspoon of Turmeric

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Ingredients for the Soup Topping:

1 Whole Roasted Chicken (I like to batch roast two chickens and use one for the soup)

3 Cups of Brussels Sprouts (halved)

3 Cups of Fennel (chopped)

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/4 Cup of Chopped Fresh Parsley (for topping)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400º degrees. In a large bowl, toss together the butternut, carrots and leeks with the olive oil, ground cumin, coriander, ground fennel and sea salt. Then, lay out your cubed Butternut, Carrots and Leeks on one, or two, parchment lined cookie sheets. The vegetables should be in a single layer. Roast the vegetables in your preheated oven for 40 minutes.

In a large stock pan, add the roasted vegetables and 1 quart of good quality low sodium chicken stock, the cider vinegar, honey, dijon, oregano and turmeric. Bring to a high simmer, and simmer for ten minutes. Cool slightly, then add the soup to a blender in two batches and puree, or use an immersion blender. Add the soup back to the pot. Salt to taste if needed.

While the soup base simmers, toss the Brussels sprouts and fennel with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, and roast for 20 minutes in your 400º degree oven. While the vegetables are roasting, shred 3 cups of roasted chicken and warm it.

To serve:

Ladle the soup into a bowl, top generously with shredded chicken, the roasted Brussels sprouts and fennel, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Yum, a delicious, hot and hearty main dish soup full of nourishment and healthy comfort!

Serves 6

Enjoy your day!

Sandra