This is one of my favourite autumn soups -- mild and warming, slightly sweet yet full of those it's-not-yet-winter flavours. It's highly versatile, however, so really anything could be thrown in: parsnips, turnips, pumpkin, swede (or rutabaga). Anything rooty would do, because the sharp sweetness of the apples will work to balance it out and draw out that lovely earthiness that seems to infuse anything like that.
There's no stock in this, which is why the spice and herb content is so high; however, that's not to say little stock won't fit in. Just mind you cut back a bit on the mixed herbs and the cumin, and the salt of course.
ingredients:
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced finely
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large carrot, sliced
1/2 acorn squash, skinned and roughly chopped
4 smallish potatoes, roughly chopped,
5 cox apples, cored and sliced
1 tbsp. cumin
2. tsp. medium curry powder
1 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
2 1/2 tbsp. mixed dried herbs (about 2 tsp. each dried basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano)
1--2 tbsp. salt
6 c. water
freshly ground black pepper to taste
optional:
1/2 packet of tofu, cubed
1 tin haricot or cannelloni bean
some soya creamer or single cream, plus 1/8--1/4 tsp. nutmeg to garnish (per bowl)
method:
In a large, heavy-bottomed sauce pan, heat up the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic and carrot and let soften, then add in the squash, potatoes and apples. Cover and left over low-medium heat for at least 15 minutes. Add all the herbs and spices and salt, stirring them in well and adding a bit more oil if needed, then cover and leave for another 5 minutes or until you can smell the cumin mixing with the apple. If you do add some tofu or beans, do so when you add in all the herbs and spices so they become fragrant and tender. Add the water and bring to a slow boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about half an hour.
It's really best if you let it sit for an additional hour, to let the flavours really weld together, but frankly who can resist dipping a bit of torn baguette or one of Lou's olive rolls into freshly made soup? Not me, in any case!
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