Warm Up, Butternut (Soup)!

Butternut Squash Soup

It's a snowy NYC night, perfect for putting up a crooked Christmas tree and for making a pot of soup. There's something about cooking for one that I've always found therapeutic, a gift that keeps on giving even in the times it feels lonely and isolating to eat alone. I'd be lying if I didn't write that - that it can be lonely to cook and eat for one, but I do it for myself from my heart and for my heart. As I left my corporate job 9 months ago to see what it might be like to spend a year letting my head catch up to my heart, I've made many pots of bottomless soup. I slurp solo. I overthink. I am the queen of my castle. My own best friend right now. I say right now because nothing is forever, even when it feels like that's so. This process has been lonely and most changes can be, they're uncomfortable. Says the woman with freezer bags of soups, sauces, vegetables and grains. For now bottomless soup is delicious and inexpensive. And one day, some day soon, I'll travel again and I'll live on more than my savings as I build a business of my soul.

The first time I stepped into the kitchen to cook I had no idea what I was doing, I started by making my grandmothers lentil soup from taste memory. I took the same leap when I left my steady job, I started by talking to a few women I did a group health workshop with. One by one I've gotten clients, written some thoughtful seminars, cooked a few dinners for people, taught classes. Daily I remind myself that it took me 16 years to learn to cook, 15 years to become a Senior Graphics Design Producer - and so it'll take me time to create work of my heart. Although I feel like I've been at this my whole life, building, tearing down, telling, sorting, cooking and writing.

Start small, that's what I tell everyone in matters of life and food. A start small philosophy can be applied to all tasks we wish to accomplish in life. Start small, begin somewhere and breathe. 

It's a snowy NYC night, perfect for putting up a crooked Christmas tree and making a pot of soup.

A simple pot of soup is a great way to get in to your kitchen if it's an unfamiliar place that you'd like to make friends with. It's the heart of the home, a home takes time to build. I guess this is my poetic way of saying - whatever the changes you wish to make and see in yourself, do them slowly, be thoughtful, use care - you are what you have. 

Now, soup. And this very soup may very easily become a freezer favorite, lunch time craving or easy dinner reheat. Baby, it's cold outside, and people may let you down - but soup never will. Do good for yourself today. 

Get in the kitchen. Sit + plate pretty.

xo

Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut sqaush, peeled and cubed
• 1 large onion, roughly cut into large pieces
• 1 32 oz container of chicken or vegetable stock
• 4 T. butter
• Salt + pepper to taste

Method

• Place all ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil and lower to a simmer
• Cook for 40 minutes to an hour until squash is fork tender
• Allow to cool and use an immersion blender or high speed blender to puree
• Store in small glass jar or container

Notes + Swaps

• But, Tina, it's too much work to cut up butternut squash! Quit ya whining! Get the precut and cubed and go on your merry way!
• But, Tina, I DON'T LIKE BUTTERNUT SQUASH! Um, ok, so you can swap it out with carrots, pumpkin or other mixed roots!
• But, Tina, this has butter and I'm vegan! Use earth balance or olive oil, done and done, no excuses!
• But Tina, soup isn't filling! 1) Yes it is, pair it with a salad, top it with nuts or greek yogurt for some crunch and creaminess! Eat with A SLICE OF CRUSTY BREAD! I topped mine with pomegranates! Serve it with a nice piece of fish for dinner to complete your meal or an avocado toast!
• But Tina, there's going to be so much and I HATE LEFTOVERS! USE YOUR FREEZER so you can build a stock and go in there in 2 weeks and have a slurp fest!