Asian-inspired coconut curry butternut soup

Last week I promised I'd commit to reining in rambling in favor of at least one, once-in-a-blue-moon concise, food over fancy oriented post, and here it is. Maybe butternut soup isn't typically outstanding for its originality; I mean, how can you really go wrong when it comes to roasting squash...any winter squash? All you have to do is season with a little salt and pepper, puree with water/both, and you're pretty much good. But even so, this particular combination is a guide I keep returning to. One which begs to be played with every time, so no need to even measure really. It's especially good with the inclusion of frozen Halloween pumpkin.

When I was born, I had a hole in my diaphragm, and the story goes my parents knew things were serious when they were asked if they'd like to see a priest. My father looked out the hospital window and apparently saw clouds lift to reveal Mt. Rainier, and knew we'd be OK. Needless to say, I was one fortunate incubator kid who got to survive. Even so, growing up I was regularly very sick, especially easily afflicted with respiratory illnesses. It was just an accepted part of life that I missed several weeks of school each year. As I grew, it became just as accepted that I'd be on heavy rounds of antibiotics every year...3 weeks in fall and 3 more in spring. Things ameliorated somewhat thanks to two things I loved: running, and our family dog, whom we adopted when I was about 12. Love is strong and determined, and I wasn't going to let propensity to allergies get in the way.

Over the past several years, things have changed most dramatically. I haven't been on any antibiotics since before little F, now 3, was born. It could be little more than coincidence, but that's also when we gave up dairy, and went meatless. Our reasons weren't for based on my sinus history, but the unexpected bonus was too good to take lightly, plus we love the way we eat. I'm not saying that meat and dairy can't have a place in one's diet...just that it's been beautifully agreeable to me. These there years I've barely had a cold.

Today, when I do feel the immunity starting to flail, sinuses threaten to flare up, or my throat start scratching, I've got a whole bunch of go-to kitchen prescriptions, like this one. It's aromatic, soothing and flavorful with just the right bite. And if that isn't enough, now I can start adding a little special quality time in with little F, who yesterday practiced yoga with our kids' yoga cards and "the guys" for FORTY minutes (!). I was so proud I can't resist tacking that little tidbit on. It was beyond heartwarming, seeing "the guys", led by the indefatigable Monkey, striking their versions of mountain, down dog, and child's poses. That's all. Next post, I have yet another chickpea flour recipe to share...some date-sweetened blondies I've had in mind for a long time and finally got to work together. I will probably attach it to a very loosely related, somewhat flighty emotional string of reflections and anecdotes. :)

Asian-inspired coconut curry butternut soup

1 medium butternut squash
1 acorn squash (or other smaller winter squash)
1 medium yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, mined
1 1-inch piece ginger root, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 cups low sodium vegetable stock
2 cups water
1 cup coconut milk (or more, according to taste)
1/3 cup cilantro leaves
dash red pepper flakes
sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place whole squash on a baking sheet and roast until the skin is papery and a fork inserted into 2 or 3 different spots reveals very tender flesh, about 1 hour. Set aside until cool enough to handle and peel away the skin, discarding the seeds.
Heat a stockpot with cooking spray. Add onion and sauté 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook one minute further, stirring constantly.
Add squash and all remaining ingredients except for garbanzo beans, if using. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender in batches and blend until smooth. Add garbanzo beans and heat, stirring, until warmed through prior to serving.