Saturday, January 9, 2010

Spicy Butternut Squash Soup with Fried Shallots





When a girl wants spicy, a girls gotta have spicy! I woke up to a blanket of snow Friday morning. Since I work at an alternative high school I get very excited when I see snow. It usually means one of two things. A two hour delay, or closing. Bummer, they called for a two hour delay..I was pissed! I decided to turn the day in to a closing and stay home and make soup. No one knows I blog at work so shhhhhhh. I built a nice fire, stayed in my PJ's (new leopard print snuggie wrapped around me) and made this delicious, very spicy soup. Warning folks, the crispy fried shallots are quite addictive. They are so easy to make, and even easier to eat. By the time the soup was done, I had to make another batch. Even if your not into spicy soups, do try to make the shallots, they have become my latest food addiction.


  • Vegetable oil

  • 1 garlic clove chopped

  • 3 or 4 (if you like heat) tablespoons of red pepper paste

  • 1 13.5 oz can of coconut milk

  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce

  • zest and juice of 1 lime

  • 1 tablespoon of sugar

  • 1 to 1 /2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

  • 1 pound of butternut squash cut into small pieces about 3/4 inch

  • all purpose flour

  • 6 shallots sliced very thinly

  • salt to taste cilantro for garnish

In a large sauce pan heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the garlic and cook until lightly brown. Mix in the red pepper paste. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, continue stirring. Add the fish sauce and coconut milk. Add the lime juice, zest, sugar and stock. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat and add the diced butternut squash. Cook for about 25 minutes till squash is tender, not mushy. Now, while the soup is simmering lets talk about those delectable fried shallots. Place about 3 tablespoons of flour in a small bowl. Try to separate the shallots into rings as you toss and coat them in flour. In a small heavy saucepan heat about an inch of oil. When the oil is hot add 1/2 the shallots, cooking till golden. Cook second batch, drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. I left mine in the oil for about 10 seconds too long, your shallots should be slightly more golden and less burnt looking than mine. Once the squash is tender, the soup is done. Season with salt, I added a little more broth towards the end as I like my soup a little thinner. Serve soup in bowls garnished with fried shallots and cilantro.

24 comments:

  1. We love butternut squash soup and I love the addition of the shallots. This looks like a winning recipe for me to try on a snowy weekend. YUM!

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  2. oh sounds like a great day and what an amazing soup yummy

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  3. Sounds absolutely delicous! I love shallots and the subtle flavor they impart.

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  4. A fire, pjs, and this soup sounds like the perfect day. I recently had crispy homemade shallots at a friend's house and I was hooked...I've got to make them!

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  5. warm soup, pj's and a fire? that sounds SO nice! i'm going to have to try those shallots!

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  6. What a perfect way to spend a cold cold day! Keep cosy!

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  7. Ahh I love fried shallots! I think they'd add a lovely crunch and slightly sweet and full flavour to an already delicious soup :D

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  8. This soup is SO Asiany with the fish sauce and everything...mmm...Spicy soups is the best to warm up on a cold snowy day! Stay warm!! :D

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  9. What a wonderful sounding soup. The flavours remind me of sunshine. Perfect for this cold weather.

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  10. I do love my shallots. This is one grand winter soup. I feel snuggly and comforted already.

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  11. So you have a snuggie, eh? I am on the fence about getting one. :) Those fried shallots look dreamy.

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  12. Oh my goodness...that looks great. Butternut squash is one of my favs!

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  13. Such comforting soup and perfect for this weather!

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  14. We all need a day off...especially when it's pouring rain or snowing like mad. A day spent doing what we want.
    You made good use of your free day! The soup looks delicious and spicy and I love the fried shallots!

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  15. I too crave for spicy food when it gets cold!!

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  16. The contrast between the textures of the smooth creamy soup and the crispy fried shallots must be terrific! Very nice!

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  17. Another awesome recipe!

    P.S. I made your post recipe-Mario Batali's baked ziti....Very good. I really enjoyed it too. Served it up on Sunday night for the family. If my photos are worth a hoot, I will post the recipe. Of course, I will give your blog post full credit and a link back to your blog. Thanks for sharing a great recipe.

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  18. I'm with you on the spicy! Perfect for this cold weather. And those shallots... yum!

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  19. This looks fabulous! Especially the crispy shallots! YUM!

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  20. we are on a soup diet so this is perfect ! thank you!!

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  21. This looks lovely.

    I made a Thai Butternut squash soup. This one is on my list the next time I pick up a squash.

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  22. What a great twist on Butternut Squash Soup. I'm a sucker for fried shallots, and atop this soup they are to die for!

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  23. You know, people often shy from spicing up butternut squash; usually, they think sweet is the way to go. I think you nailed it with the spice, and I bet it has a very nice playful nice with the nuttiness of the squash meat. Awesome work :)

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