Butternbut squash soup:
1 large or 2 smaller squashes, deseeded and cut into quarters
1 tbsp veg oil
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground nutmeg (or freshly grated)
2 tsp caster sugar
1 small knob butter
3 onions
2 cloves of garlic
21/2 pints stock- I use marigold veg buillion
First of all put the squshes on a baking tray cutside up and brush with the veg oil. Then sprinkle over the nutmeg, cinnamon and caster sugar. Roast in the oven at 190 degrees for around 40 mins. They are ready when the flesh is nice and soft and the edges have caramelised a little.
In the meantime finely slice the onions and chop the garlic and sweat in the butter on a very very low heat for 15mins or so. The onions should be very soft but not browned. Take care not to burn the onions or the garlic!
Take the squash out of the oven when ready and leave to cool for a few minutes and then separate the flesh from the skin (I do this using a knife and spoon to scrape off the flash). Use a little of the stock to deglaze the roasting sheet and pour into a soup pan along with the onions and squash flesh. Add the rest of the stock. Bring to a simmer and leave to cook through for 10-15mins on a low heat. Then blitz smooth using a hand blender or liquidiser.
Taste carefully, add more salt or sugar depending on taste (the real secret of the soup is the balance between the salt and sweetness and that is a matter of personal taste) and then add black pepper.
Serve and then scatter a few flat leaved parsley leaves on the top if you are being good, or a squiggle of cream if feeling naughty