Butternut Squash Bisque for the Soul

I’m officially on vacation and I plan to utilize every minute to relax and completely unwind. I woke up this morning, got a great workout, drank a green smoothie, and sipped my favorite green tea as I caught up on some blog reading. Although my day couldn’t have been more relaxing the one thing I missed was some sun. This miserable, cold weather we have been having has had me craving something warm and comforting. As I was thinking of what to post today I immediately thought back to my recent favorite soul warming soup. This rich, creamy soup is full of comforting spices perfect for those bone chilling cold days in Ohio, but equally delicious on any old day.

Butternut Squash Bisque

Ingredients:

2 small or 1 large butternut squash (3lbs)

1 medium onion diced

3 cloves garlic

2-3 tsp salt divided

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp black pepper

4-5 cups vegetable stock

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees, dice up onion, garlic, and squash, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast 30-40 minutes until tender. Once squash is cooked through add to a blender and pour in liquid until you reach a desired consistency. (I prefer a thick soup so I used a little over four cups. ) Once the soup is smooth pour into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer, stir in spices, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings and watch the salt if you are not using a low sodium stock. Let simmer until warm stirring frequently. To serve, ladle soup into bowls and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and enjoy!

Get your squash & onion all diced up, coat with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Roast until tender about 35 minutes.

Your kitchen will smell amazing while the veggies are roasting and if you don’t like soup this combination alone is delicious.

Gather up your spices, puree soup, and simmer until warmed through.

For a gourmet twist drizzle with olive oil and top with toasted pumpkin seeds. The smell of this soup is intoxicating and just one bite warms your soul.

Creamy and silky this butternut squash bisque is perfect in every single way.

I tried this video for the first time today and after being a huge fan of the 30 day shred I can honestly say this workout is better. I love the 30 day shred but have gotten a little bored with the 3 levels, this video offers 4 new and challenging workout levels perfect for a kick butt workout in a pinch. In 24 minutes I was sweating like a monkey and my muscles were fatigued. I used 10lb weights to increase the intensity but I don’t think I could have gone a minute longer. I’ll definitely be doing this workout again soon

Questions:

What soothes your soul? A warm cup of tea, yoga, soup, and curling up by the fire with a book.

Are you a Jillian Michaels fan? She is amazing, although she can be quite masculine when she talks her workouts kick my butt every time!

I’m off to go give myself and my mom a pedicure and then finish packing for vacation, next time I post ill be in Mexico wooooo!

Have an incredible Friday!