A hey cupcake kind of day: butternut squash and apple soup/ wild rice salad

Ingredients

For butternut Squash and Apple Soup:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 large)
• 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
• 5 pounds butternut squash (2 large)
• 1 1/2 pounds sweet apples, such as McIntosh (4 apples)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups good apple cider or juice

Wild Rice Salad:

• 2 cups wild rice
• 4 cups water
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dried currants
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard