Guess I’m having my own Soupapalooza huh? Cold hit us in Denver with a knockout punch and I’m resorting to a tried and true method to combat it. Soup. And more soup. A hearty butternut squash soup with a kick. I credit this one to my daughter Emily; we got together for dinner with a mish mash of leftovers and she brought over a butternut squash soup she had made. It was smooth and creamy and her secret was to add a bit of potato; loved how it made the soup the perfect texture without having to add flour to thicken it. Plus another thing I loved? Some poblano peppers and just a bit of heat!
Emily and I both receive bi-weekly deliveries from Door to Door Organics and we admit to liberally modifying our orders. She must have gotten the same squash I did but a week earlier so mine was sitting on the counter along with some Yukon Gold potatoes and 4 beautiful Anaheim peppers. Does that not sound almost spooky? Well, it is the month of Halloween! You know I had to mix it up a little bit but not much…it was too good to really mess with.
The peppers I included certainly contributed to the overall flavor profile but I need something to boost the heat a bit. I had added just a bit of cumin but it needed something more for that slight tickle of heat and for me that meant using some of my Lodo Red Adobo seasoning from Savory Spice Shop.
I feel lucky we have local Savory Spice Shops; they originated with a store in Denver and I’ve been frequenting the one in Littleton on Main Street (yes, it really is a main street too!) for 6 years. I actually remember the first time. I had met some friends at a charming little place that served high tea and afterwards one mentioned she had heard about a new Spice Shop just a block away. It was a gorgeous day and we all decided to walk on over and check them out. The first thing I noticed? I knew I was there before I was there…the aroma of spices lingers outside the shop and helps to lead you in. Inside? Literally a cooks nirvana. More spices and spice variations than you can imagine. Fresh, magical spices. Cinnamon to die for, curry too. Cocoa, vanilla, salts…it is truly an adventure for a cook and my only issue with going there is trying not to break the bank…I could, easily.
One of the owners of Savory Spice Shop, Mike, has graciously agreed to offer this package of spices to a reader; Mile High City is filled with mixes made to represent geographic areas of Denver; with this mixture you get a whole bunch of goodness. Be sure to check out that packaging. Tucked inside the box are bay leaves, cinnamon, star anise and a single whole nutmeg. I may buy mine differently but I’ve sent boxes like this as holiday gifts and I just love that special touch.
I just peeled the squash using a vegetable peeler; though I do love the already peeled and cubed butternut squash from Costco, I have to admit this was pretty easy. Especially with that knife; a gift from an event I attended last week. The sharpest knife I have ever owned; it was like cutting through ‘buttah’ when used for squash. It’s sort of scary sharp but it sure made quick work of these veggies! I added the vegetables to chicken broth and some caramelized onions in a crockpot and like magic…in the morning I had soup! I used my new favorite magic wand kitchen tool to blend everything together and make a smooth soup and then seasoned with more salt, pepper and the Lodo Red Adobo to taste. I like a fair amount; just add enough for your taste. So perfect for fall!
I garnished the soup with some sour cream, avocado and a spoonful of grilled onions topped with a sprinkling of some more of the spice and served it with cornbread. Seriously perfect for a cool fall evening…or all winter long!
Ingredients
- 4 Anaheim or Poblano Peppers
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Butter
- 2 med onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 4 Yukon Gold potatoes, medium size
- 2 - 32 oz containers of chicken stock or use fresh or canned
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 - 1 tsp Lodo Red Adobo or Cayenne Pepper, ground
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Sour cream, avocado and grilled onions to garnish
Preparation
- Preheat the broiler. Place the peppers under the heated broiler and cook them until the skin has turned dark brown; about 5 minutes per side. Watch closely.
- Remove the pepper and place into a paper bag, close the bag until they feel warm to the touch; about 5 minutes.
- Remove them from the bag and peel off the skin, remove the stem and remove the seeds if desired.
- Chop into large chunks and set aside.
- Melt the butter and olive oil in a medium size skillet. Add the chopped onions and cook on medium heat until translucent and nicely browned, 15-20 minutes. Do not cook too fast.
- Add the minced garlic in the last minute of cooking the onions and watch carefully; it should get cooked to a slight brown but no more...it can easily become bitter.
- Put the squash, potatoes, peppers and half of the onions into a crockpot with the stock, cumin, Lodo Red Adobo, salt and pepper.
- Cook on high heat for 4 hours or overnight on the lowest heat.
- Use a stick blender or regular blender to blend all of the ingredients together; return the soup to the pot.
- Season with salt, pepper and more of the Lodo Red Adobo if required.
- Add the rest of the grilled onions, holding out a couple of spoonfuls for garnish.
- Serve and garnish with sour cream, avocado, onion and sprinkle with the red pepper.
Notes
I liked having half of the onions added to the blended soup but if you prefer a totally creamy soup, add all but a bit for garnish to the crockpot when cooking the other ingredients.
How can you win these spices from Savory Spice Shop? Lots of ways; here’s how:
Contest is open until Sunday, October 14, 2012 midnight. Contest is now closed and a winner chosen. Congrats @lifesafeast!
Required: Leave a comment and let me know what your favorite soup is; if it’s on your blog I would love a link too.
For additional optional entries do any of the following and leave me a SEPARATE COMMENT for each one, letting me know you did it. If you already get my rss feed or follow me on Twitter; just let me know…that counts. Please note these have to be left as separate comments or they will only count as one entry.
- Signup for my RSS email feed
- Follow me on Twitter @CreativCulinary
- Follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter @SavorySpiceShop
- Tweet the following: I just entered to win the ‘Mile High City’ spices fm @SavorySpiceShop & @CreativCulinary. Enter here: http://su.pr/8xjm63
Winner will be determined by using random.org; the result at random.org will be used to select a winner based on the corresponding comment number. This prize for US residents only. I will email the winner and they will have up to 3 days to claim their prize or another winner will be selected
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY, VOID WHERE PROHIBITED
Good luck!
Disclaimer: I was provided with a box of the Mile High City spices to review and a similar one will be shipped to a prize winner. All commentary is my own.
{ 125 comments… read them below or add one }
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My favorite soup is a heart Loaded Baked Potato, Bacon and Cheese Soup!
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I love fiesta soup…a mix of cheese, rotel, beans, onion, and ground beef….so good over fritos!!
Tweeted!
Jamie Most Recent Post: CHOCOLATE COINTREAU FONDANT CAKE
I love spices and now I am following @SavorySpiceShop
Jamie Most Recent Post: CHOCOLATE COINTREAU FONDANT CAKE
Ditto.
Jamie Most Recent Post: CHOCOLATE COINTREAU FONDANT CAKE
Yes, of course, you know I do.
Jamie Most Recent Post: CHOCOLATE COINTREAU FONDANT CAKE
I am so glad you are posting all of these soups. Autumn – and the rainy part of it – has arrived full force and I’ve been serving ready-made soups. I should definitely start making homemade and yours are spectacular. And weirdly enough this is the first year ever that I’ve actually seen butternut squash on the market in France. So what perfect timing!
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I love a simple tomato soup, very soothing.
I love my friend LeAnn’s “Cheeseburger Soup Ole”. She is a great cook! And I see she commented here too! :)
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My favorite soup is a vegeterian chili. I’m not a huge bean-person, but I do love that recipe.
I think my favorite soup would have to be potato-leek.
Though…pumpkin/butternut squash is a close second. And lentil.
What can I say, I love soup and soup season!
Smedette Most Recent Post: Recipe: Vanilla Extract
I love soup season and have so many favorites … but one of them is my vegetarian tortilla soup. http://ahalfbakedlife.blogspot.com/2011/07/finding-my-tribe-vegetarian-tortilla.html … though we’ve also been eating a lot of this lately (sausage with white bean and chard/kale): http://ahalfbakedlife.blogspot.com/2010/10/making-of-blog-making-of-me-and-making.html ! Thanks for this delicious looking recipe!
It is cold in our area too. I’ve been craving lots and lots of soup. My favorite soup of the moment is my Sausage, Bean and Spinach Soup: http://laphemmephoodie.com/2011/01/soup.html
Wendy @La Phemme Phoodie Most Recent Post: Pumpkin! Pumpkin! Pumpkin! Roundup
Barbara – this is my kind of soup!! I love a bit of heat and those poblanos would be perfect. Just gorgeous!
ps. No need to enter me. The prize looks lovely but as bloggers we get so much – better to send it to one of your non-blogging readers :-)
the wicked noodle Most Recent Post: WIN PASSES TO METRO COOKING DC {VALUED AT $100 EACH!!}
My favorite soup to make is a chunky tomato coconut curry recipe that it served at a local Denver vegetarian restaurant. And I typically use Savory Spice Shop seasonings in it!
I follow you on twitter (@mclanek).
I already subscribe to your RSS feed.
My favorite soup is potato soup. It’s quick, easy, tasty, and filling.
I already get your RSS feed, but my favorite soup is French Onion!
This looks AMAZING and I have six butternut squash in my garage, crying out to be cooked. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I signed up to follow @SavorySpiceShop
For me, nothing beats a creay tomato soup on a cold winter day.
I love butternut squash soup – I make mine with Granny Smith apples as a thickener but I’d like to make this version as well. Sounds yummy!
This soup looks amazing!! butternut squash is easily one of my favorites!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist Most Recent Post: Muller Yogurt & a Giveaway
Savory Spice Shop — My new found love. Anxious to take my family there when they arrive for the holidays!
I Follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter @SavorySpiceShop and tweeted the following: I just entered to win the ‘Mile High City’ spices fm @SavorySpiceShop & @CreativCulinary. Enter here: http://su.pr/8xjm63. cjbrickley@ymail.com
My daughter took me to one of your shops in Colorado a couple of years ago I stock up on the ones I like and loved to try news can’t wait to get there in Nov.
Diane Lybarger Most Recent Post: Butternut Squash, Potato and Roasted Pepper Soup with Savory Spice Shop Giveaway
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I follow you via email. cjbrick@ymail.com
My Creamy Potato Soup! It is not posted yet, but will be soon. It never lasts long enough to get a photo. cjbrick@ymail.com
I am already an email subscriber! chefl@swbell.net
I love soups! My fav of all though is chili!!!!
Favorite soup = Chicken & homemade duplings. It makes you feel good
That looks so good. I make a butternut soup as well, but I am trying this one, I like the kick this one has.
I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter – love them.
Jenny Most Recent Post: Happy Birthday Shelby – Garlic Noodles with a Kick!
I treated the giveaway!
Jenny Most Recent Post: Happy Birthday Shelby – Garlic Noodles with a Kick!
I subscribe to your posts via e-mail.
Jenny Most Recent Post: Happy Birthday Shelby – Garlic Noodles with a Kick!
I follow you on twitter.
Jenny Most Recent Post: Happy Birthday Shelby – Garlic Noodles with a Kick!
My favorite soup is corn chowder! I want these spices!
Jenny Most Recent Post: Happy Birthday Shelby – Garlic Noodles with a Kick!
And lastly, I tweeted: https://twitter.com/elleskitchen/status/256375496923811841
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Barb, first off, the soup looks amazing! I absolutely love the garnish, too! I so wanted a ripe avocado for our chili last night, but not meant to be. They were all very green and hard as rocks.
Second, the packaging for the spices, with the bay and cinnamon and other goodies? FABULOUS! I just love that! Thanks for the chance to win some!
Elle Most Recent Post: Apple Pie Filled Cider Doughnut Muffins
tweet https://twitter.com/cjsorel/status/256373497503309825
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sweet potato and bacon soup is the best
Roasted Cauliflower Soup would be my first choice!
The soup sound wonderful for in front of the fire. And the spice selection—-as I have already used most of them and given a selection as presents, I would love to try those that I have not.
Fav soup is split pea
I just signed up for your RSS feed via email!
My favorite soup is New England Clam Chowder…but I also have not met a bisque of any kind that I didn’t love! I’ve not ventured into the world of making soup, but this winter, I think I will. I might start with this one!
I love soup…there are so many favorites. My mom’s potatoe soup, split pea soup, plain ole tomato soup and tomato basil,..ham and bean soup, tortilla soup, pumpkin bisque. There are too many to mention, actually.
My favorite soup has always been split pea soup. Oh sure, I may wander over to chicken tortilla soup, or potato with bacon, or even Italian Wedding, but split pea will always be number one for me.
I follow Savory Spice Shop on Twitter!
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This soup looks delicious- I love anything with poblanos! And this spice shop sounds incredible! One of my favorite soups is Coconut Curry Soup! http://satisfymysweettooth.com/2011/06/14/coconut-curry-soup/
Mercedes Most Recent Post: Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts by Alice Medrich (cookbook review)
My favorite soup is a Garlic Zucchini Soup that my kids SWEAR is alfredo soup. It is great with pepperoni subs!
If anyone wants the recipe, I am happy to share
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I love French Onion soup and am in 7th heaven when the Vidalia onions come in. I make extra to freeze so we can still enjoy it months later.
I tweeted: I just entered to win the ‘Mile High City’ spices fm @SavorySpiceShop & @CreativCulinary. Enter here: http://su.pr/8xjm63
I follow you on twitter.
My favorite comfort soup is minestrone with sausage and tortellini. So hearty and satisfying.
http://sweetconsiderations.com/blog/?p=81
That soup looks so yummy. I will be making this next week for sure. It’s hard to say which soup is my favorite because homemade soup is my favorite thing to eat. But, I will have to say beef vegetable or my version of chicken tortilla soup are my very favorite. I love using herbs and spices. Hoping I win. I wish they had a shop closer to Brighton.
I love tomato soup with just about any grilled cheese! I can’t wait to try this one next! http://www.ohsweetbasil.com/2012/09/roasted-tomato-caprese-soup.html
My favorite soup is the classic chicken soup – great for the upcoming winter season. I enjoy Dr. Oz’s recipe to make at home:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/chicken-soup
Thanks so much
Barb found u on my phone
Mike
I subscribe to your RSS feed!
I love a good tomato soup!
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Micha Most Recent Post: Off to quilt retreat
Thank you for posting this recipe. I too receive a weekly CSA box of produce and have some poblano peppers I need to do something with and this is perfect. Fall hit Seattle today and the soup recipes are coming out.
My favorite soup is creamy potato.
Micha Most Recent Post: Off to quilt retreat
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Holly Most Recent Post: Chunky Potato Cheddar Soup
I always enjoy your posts by RSS email, thanks!
Holly Most Recent Post: Chunky Potato Cheddar Soup
Now I wish I had bought that cubed and peeled squash at Costco this week! next time for sure, this looks wonderfully delicious. I haven’t heard of the spice store in Littleton but sounds like I’d love it.
Holly Most Recent Post: Chunky Potato Cheddar Soup
I follow Savory Spice on twitter @rusthawk.
thank you both for the giveaway!
I follow you on twitter @rusthawk.
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I tweeted https://twitter.com/rusthawk/status/256125281348247553
My favorite soup is potato soup with lots of bacon bits.
I’m an email subscriber.
My absolute favorite soup is Ribolita. I made a giant pot last week and shared with family.
Potato soup is my very, very favorite :)
I sent the tweet you listed above. :)
addie | culicurious Most Recent Post: Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
I followed @SavorySpiceShop on Twitter
addie | culicurious Most Recent Post: Barbacoa Tacos – #SeriousSandwich
I already follow you on Twitter :)
addie | culicurious Most Recent Post: Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
My favorite soup is an eggplant and tomato bisque. Here’s a link to an old recipe on my site – http://www.culicurious.com/from-my-kitchen-tomato-eggplant-bisque/
addie | culicurious Most Recent Post: Barbacoa Tacos – #SeriousSandwich
And I was just trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the butternut squash I bought last weekend. Now I know!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Grilled Cheese Florentine
I tweeted about your giveaway: https://twitter.com/ArchivesJen/status/256092156069027840
I follow Savory Spice Shop on twitter.
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I love beef stew. Nothing seems like spell winter more than that.
My favorite soup is butternut squash flavored with onions and apple. Topped with fried sage and seasoned breadcrumbs.
I love spice shops too… Mmm.
this soup sounds fantastic – I love the flavors you’ve used.
my current favorite soup is a new creation – my blackened broccoli bisque – hearty and warming for winter! http://spabettie.com/2012/07/31/blackened-broccoli-bisque/
thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Kristina Most Recent Post: pumpkin whoopie pies with ginger cream [HUGE giveaway] #VeganMoFo
Oh wow, I didn’t know they have butternut squash already peeled and cubed at Costco… I’ll be on the lookout for that! I love that you made this spicy btw!
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} Most Recent Post: [Oktoberfest] Slow Cooker Sausage with Bavarian Sauerkraut
I follow the Savory Spice shop on Twitter.
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I tweeted about the giveaway.
I love chicken and dumpling soup!
my favorite soup is my mother’s recipe for cream of potato soup ~ especially garnished with crumbled bacon and grated cheese.
thanks for a chance at the giveaway!
Dani H Most Recent Post: · · ᦣ· ᦾ ·᧙· · i dream of angels · · ᦣ· ᦾ ·᧙· · { revisiting 2010 }
I follow you on Twitter.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) Most Recent Post: pumpkin spice blossoms
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Laura (Tutti Dolci) Most Recent Post: pumpkin spice blossoms
Butternut squash soup is one of my favorites! I love your anaheim pepper addition.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) Most Recent Post: pumpkin spice blossoms
With this kind of weather soup is definitely the order of the day. I love all these flavors as well as Savory Spice Shop. Count me out of the giveaway as my spice cabinet is bulging, but I will try your recipe.
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: A Day with the Colorado Beef Producers and Colorado State University: Slow Cooked Beef Pot Roast with Sour Cream Gravy
I love a good spice shop! Stepping inside feels so warm and homey! I wish I had one close to where I live. Ordering off the internet just isn’t the same :(
Your soup looks super delicious. Love how you added the avocado and grilled onions to garnish! It warms my tummy just looking at it!
Renee – Kudos Kitchen Most Recent Post: Rustic Apple Crostata With Vanilla Cinnamon Glaze
http://dinnerisserveddotorg.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/potato-cheddar-soup-with-beer-bacon-and-chives/
Here is a link to one of my favorites on my blog site. Also I have a Savory Spice Shop near my house as well. I LOVE that place! Had to add a new spice rack to a wall in my kitchen to accomodate the new spices I purchase there on a regular basis.
These are my kind of ingredients and flavors. So perfect for fall!
Cassie | Bake Your Day Most Recent Post: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Nice soup! We eat soup all the time – one of our favorite meals when the weather turns cool. I haven’t don’t a squash soup in forever, but I should, because they’re so nice. Love the flavors you have in yours! Anything with a bit of spice gets my attention. I’m not actually sure what my fav soup is – really, whatever I’m eating. I guess my fav warm weather soup would be gazpacho, and fav cold weather soup is a Tuscan Bean soup that includes pinto beans, lentils, and split peas. Good stuff – thanks.
kitchenriffs Most Recent Post: Pasta alla Norma