Autumn Squash Soup in Winter

YOU GUYS!  Wow.  Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!  I can't believe it's almost New Years! This little blog baby always kind of gets the back burner to the business of my life, but I'm going to work on changing that in 2018 (one of my "intentions" because resolutions are so overrated). 

ANYWHO.. for Christmas I got a new Vitamix and I. AM. PUMPED.  I've been wanting to make this healthier version of Panera's delicious Autumn Squash Soup since, well.. autumn.  I didn't think my Nutribullet could handle it, though.  So as soon as I got this baby... SOUP TIME. 

I'm gonna keep it real here.. this is pretty good, but I may tweak something the next time I make it.  Can't quite put my finger on what's missing... maybe if you make this and notice you can let me know what it needs.  Maybe cassava flour.. something to ponder.  Overall, a great homemade soup with healthy, real food ingredients (and less money.. let's be real). 

Ingredients:

-4 to 5 cups cut butternut squash (I got the pre-cut because cutting butternut squash is kind of a pain in the you-know-what)

-1 can pumpkin puree

-2 medium gala apples

-1 small sweet onion

-2.5 cups vegetable or bone broth (I used Vital Proteins Bone Broth)

-1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (or 1 cup apple cider/juice)

-2 Tbsp honey

-2 Tbsp virgin olive oil

-1tsp cinnamon

-1 tsp ginger

-1/2 tsp curry powder

-1/2 tsp turmeric

-few dashes pink Himalayan sea salt

-few dashes black pepper

-1 cup plain Greek yogurt

Instructions: Chop the apples, quarter the onion, chop the squash if not precut).  Drizzle and coat with olive oil.  Place on a baking sheet and roast at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.  Remove and let cool for approx. 10 mins (I removed mine from the pan and let cool back in the bowl (I used to coat with olive oil).  Add pumpkin and apple cider vinegar to the blender (Vitamix, etc).  Once cooled, add the roasted veggies.  Slowly increase Vitamix speed from 1 to 10, then turn to High setting for ~1 minute.  You may need to do this in 2 batches depending on the size of your blender.   Pour pureed mixture into a large stovetop pot.  Add in veggie or bone broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat).  Once boiling, add in honey and spices.  Lower to a simmer and stir occasionally for another 10 minutes.  Turn off heat and stir in plain greek yogurt (this replaces the heavy cream and butter you might otherwise have added).  Top with pepitas and enjoy! 

Stay Wild and Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Danielle

MS, RDN, LDN

Chili Today, Hot Tamale...

I don't know 'bout where y'all are at, but in Chicago it is gloomy and chilly.  The cold and rain have kicked in, the days are getting shorter and darker and I just want to be cozy AF.  But this time of year means at least one awesome thing... CHILI SEASON.  I made this healthier version (which could totally be a vegan version, as well, if you leave out the meat and bone broth).  Now I've got a huge full pot that I will be eating for the next foreseeable future and life is good. 

Ingredients: 

-2.5lbs ground lean turkey

-1 red bell pepper, chopped

-2 green bell peppers, chopped

-1 large jalapeno, diced and seeds removed

-1 medium yellow onion, diced

-4 cloves garlic, diced

-4 cans reduced sodium kidney beans, unstrained

-2 cans diced tomatoes, unstrained

-1 can tomato paste

-1/4 cup organic ketchup

-1 Tbsp light organic maple syrup

-2 Tbsp chili powder

-2 Tbsp coriander

-1 Tbsp cumin

-1/2 tsp salt

-1/4 tsp black pepper

-4 tsp hot sauce (more or less depending how spicy you like it)

-1/2 cup Vital Proteins bone broth (or red wine)

Toppings: Kitehill chive cream cheese, avocado, Nutritional Yeast, Seite Foods Nacho chips

Instructions: I used a Dutch Oven on the stove top.  Brown ground turkey first with seasonings (chili powder, cumin, coriander, sea salt, black pepper and diced onions) for flavor.  Once turkey is browned, stir in other diced veggies (peppers, jalapeno, garlic), light maple syrup and bone broth or red wine.  Once stirred in, add kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup and hot sauce.  Let simmer on low on the stove top for 1-2 hours.  Then DIG IN.  I topped mine with lots of goodies because loaded chili is what's up. 

Stay Wild,

Danielle

MS, RDN, LDN