Spicy Butternut Squash Soup with Apples

Ingredients

• 1 Medium Butternut Squash
  
• 1 Large Shallot
  
• 2 Granny Smith Apples
  
• 1-2 tablespoons Chinese Chili Garlic Paste
  
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  
• 5 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth
  
• Pinch Salt and Pepper to taste
  

Directions

1. Peel, chop, and core butternut squash and apples set aside
2. Finely chop shallot
3. Warm olive oil in dutch oven or stock pot
4. Add shallots and cook over medium heat approximately 1-2 minutes
5. Add chili garlic paste , cooking 30 seconds until fragrant
6. Add apples toss and coat with shallots and chili garlic paste
7. Add butternut squash and chicken/vegetable broth
8. Bring to boil and then reduce to simmer
9. Cook until squash is tender when pierced approximately 20 minutes
10. Remove from heat
11. With either immersion blender or carefully in batches with regular blender puree until smoothe. Season with salt and pepper to taste , serves 4-6