Immune system boosting butternut squash and roasted red pepper soup

Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of warm soup?

Butternut squash is abundant in antioxidants, providing a healthy dose of vitamins C and E plus beta-carotene in that burnt orange colour of the vegetable’s flesh.

Antioxidants help the body to prevent or slow cellular damage and reduce inflammation, which in the long run may reduce the risk of several chronic diseases.

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash

1 red pepper

1 red onion

3 garlic cloves

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoons siracha

½ tablespoon maple syrup

½ tablespoon CBD paste or tincture of your choice

200ml chicken stock

200ml coconut milk

Salt and pepper to taste 

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and drizzle two baking tins with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Peel the butternut squash and dice into small cubes, then place onto one of the baking tins, top with a drizzle of olive oil and 1tsp of smoked paprika. Place into the oven to bake.

3. After 15 minutes, rotate the squash on the tray, slice the onion and pepper and place onto the other baking tray with the peeled garlic, top with more olive oil and smoked paprika. Place into the oven underneath the butternut squash.
4. Leave the tins for another 15 minutes before turning the oven off.  Then crack open the oven door to let the steam out.
5. Whilst the vegetables are still in the oven, place 250ml of water in a large pan and bring to boil.
6. Add the chicken stock to the water and mix well before adding the vegetables and stirring well.
7. Add the siracha and maple syrup to the mix and leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
8. Turn down the heat of the pan to low and in a jug add the CBD paste to the coconut milk.
9. Once the temperature of the soup has been brought down, add the coconut milk mixture to the pan, mixing well, and once again leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
10. Turn off the heat completely and leave to cool for at least 10 minutes.
11. Blend the contents until smooth and add salt and pepper to taste.
12. Place back onto the heat to serve hot or keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Make a meal of it!

1. To add extra heat, add an extra tbsp of siracha.
2. To make a hearty meal, serve with toasted sourdough or soda bread.