Curried Butternut Squash Bisque with Cashew Cream (Vegan)

As I dropped the spoon back into the pot, a huge smile spread across my face. I’ve been dreaming about curried butternut squash soup for a while and I had a hunch that it would be good, but I had no idea it would be that good. It’s definitely a soup I’ll make over and over again – and I can’t wait to eat the leftovers for lunch all week! 

I just posted a tofu curry pot pie recipe last week and I know that curry isn’t for everyone, but I can’t help it – I’m on a major curry kick lately. This recipe couldn’t be any more different from las week’s though: In this bisque, the curry takes back seat to the other flavors and adds a touch of mystery and a subtle heat that builds as you eat. It doesn’t taste like “curry” at all and I’d be willing to bet that most people wouldn’t be able to identify the flavor if they didn’t already know what it was.

This butternut squash soup is silky smooth and unbelievably creamy, despite the fact that there’s no cream (or any dairy) in it whatsoever. I don’t now how, but it tastes like it’s full of butter. While we were eating, Shawn said it reminded him of the lobster curry soup on the Indonesian tasting menu at Yono’s, and he was absolutely right. I had forgotten all about it, even though it was the best soup I’ve eaten in my entire life. This curried butternut soup is a very close second.

This recipe takes just about an hour to make, but it’s almost all passive time that you don’t actually have to be in the kitchen for.

Roasting the squash brings a ton of depth to it’s flavor, but I’ll admit that the real reason I did it was that I was being lazy. I HATE cutting winter squash. It’s s0 hard, and I’m always afraid that I’m going to break my knife. Roasting means I  only have to make one easy cut down the center. After it bakes, it’ll slip out of it’s skin so easily that you can do it with your hands.

Roasting the squash also gives you time to soak the cashews for the amazing cashew cream that I drizzled over of the soup (it’s based on this cashew cream recipe from With Food + Love). Even though the soup is great without it, you definitely don’t want to skip out on the cream – it really takes it to the next level!

Curried Butternut Squash Bisque with Cashew Cream (Vegan)

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

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Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash[/b]
• 1 tablespoon olive oil[/b]
• 1/2 onion[/b], chopped
• 2 garlic cloves[/b], minced
• 1 tablespoon hot Madras curry powder[/b]
• 4 cups reduced sodium vegetable stock[/b]
• 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro[/b], chopped (for garnish)[br]

For the Cashew Cream

• 1/3 cup cashews[/b]
• 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk [/b](or other non-dairy milk)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice[/b]
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil[/b]
• 1 generous pinch sea salt[/b]

Instructions

2. Heat the oven to 400ºF.
3. Cut the squash in half, length-wise, and scoop out the seeds. Place on a baking sheet, cut side down. Roast the squash for 30-40 minutes, or until it's very soft and the skin starts to bubble. Remove from the oven and let cool. Peel away the skin.
4. Heat the olive oil in a soup pot. Add the onions and garlic; cook 4-5 minutes, until soft but not brown. Stir in the curry powder and cook one minute. Add the squash and vegetable stock. Cook 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.
5. Serve topped with cashew cream and chopped parsley.
   

For the Cashew Cream

2. Soak the cashews in 1 cup of water for at least 30 minutes. Drain. Add the soaked nuts, almond milk, lime juice, and oil to your blender; blend on high until smooth. Season to taste with salt.

Nutrition Information

Amount Per Serving Calories 141 Total Fat 6.7g Fiber 3.7g Protein 2.9g