Sometimes we have high hopes to kickstart the new year. Some years I make resolutions and other years I don’t. This year I am attempting to write down three things I am grateful for each day. Already I have missed a day or two. Typical. That means I will need to double up a few entries from time to time. That’s OK. It’s the contemplation of what you are grateful for that is the point. Makes for brighter thoughts.
Not all things we are grateful for. Like illness. Without fail, it is often inevitable in January. After visiting with family and friends, we usually drop like flies. The holidays is truly about the meaning of give and take, not just in gifts but also in the germ department. Here is my newest January cure.
“Soothing Butternut Squash Soup”
Makes 6 – 8 servings
prep time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 medium sized butternut squash, peeled and cubed
2 apples, peeled and cubed
1 medium onion, cubed
2 T olive oil
2 T butter
1/2 tsp salt and pepper, each
1/2 tsp dried herbs (your choice)
1/2 tsp dried coriander
3 C vegetable broth
At the end (for good luck):
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 medium lemon, squeezed
Directions:
In a large soup pot, melt oil and butter over medium heat and saute onions for a few minutes until they start to wilt and become translucent. Add the squash, apples, broth, and seasoning (minus the turmeric and lemon). For the herbs I ran out of thyme (literally) so I used some mixed seasoning from the famous Schwartz’s deli in Montreal. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until the squash is tender and cooked.
Remove from the heat source and use a hand blender to puree the soup. Return to simmering burner and add 1 tsp turmeric. Let simmer for another 5 minutes. I did not want this flavour to overtake the taste of the squash. You can choose to add more if you like or omit it altogether. You may also want to add it in the beginning but I was banking on trying to reap the most health benefits of turmeric by having it be the icing on this soothing soup remedy.
Turn heat off. Add the juice of half a lemon and stir. This soup is tasty hot or warm. Depending on what you prefer. As my throat is sore, I let it cool until it was just right for me.
Optional Garnish:
Might I recommend what my doctor prescribed for my strep throat… a 10 day course of these miracle workers. Also more commonly referred to in the medical field as… penicillin. They come in all strengths and depending on your needs, they take about 48 hours to show their magic. There, now I have something to be grateful for.
loopylocks blog 