Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Almonds

By: Blue Diamond, Courtesy of the Almond Board of California

Some times simple soup recipes are all that it takes to warm the body and the spirit. Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Almonds is a great alternative to your usual chicken noodle soup. Made with fresh vegetables, this will surely satisfy.

Ingredients

2 (about 4.75 pounds) butternut squash
1 cup slivered Blue Diamond almonds, divided
2 tablespoons plus 3 teaspoons of olive oil, divided
1 cup onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoon mild curry powder
5 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
salt, to taste
6 tablespoons plain yogurt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Roast squash for 15 minutes; remove from oven and cut in half, scooping out seeds. Place cut side down on oiled baking sheet and return to oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until very soft. Remove from oven and let cool.
Meanwhile, turn heat down to 350degrees F.
Place almonds on the baking sheet and roast until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot. Add onion and garlic; sauté on medium heat until onion is translucent. Add curry powder and stir for 2 or 3 minutes, until fragrant.
Cut away peel from squash, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Place curried onion and garlic mixture in a blender or food processor; add enough squash and broth to fill.
Add 3/4 cup almonds, reserving the remaining 1/4 for garnish, and process until smooth. Transfer to pot. Puree remaining squash and broth, and transfer to pot.
Stir mixture and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt.
To serve, divide soup among shallow bowls. Swirl 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil on each, and top with a 1-tablespoon dollop of yogurt. Sprinkle remaining almonds on top of yogurt.