Spicy Butternut Bisque

A soft sweetness to the tounge, then a subtle blast of flavor followed by a pleasing tingling spice. The finale….. a cooling slide of creamy cilantro yogurt with a heat of it’s own.

This non-fat, spicy, delightful bisque came to mind as I remembered something my friend  Bill Roy   asked me about a month ago –  ”Sue, I am going home to eat what I hope is the last of our giant pot of lentil soup – what can I do to get through this fourth day of eating it?”  After confirming that he had some curry powder in the spice rack, I suggested he add some to the soup to give himself a little taste bud lift. When I saw him a couple of weeks later he reported that it had done the trick and he’d really enjoyed the last of his soup!

 So as I contemplated the leftover butternut squash on my kitchen counter,  wondering how I could avoid another round of squash mash with dinner (not that I don’t like it!) , I remembered my own advice and created a quick, delicious small pot curried soup with some pantry staples:

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe:

• 2 cups butternut squash puree – no butter added
• 1/4 cup applesauce – no sugar added
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon or more Indian curry powder
• Several dashes hot pepper, to taste
• Salt and pepper
• Water

Directions:

Begin by adding garlic into the pan with just enough water to cover. Simmer the garlic until softened- a few minutes.  

Add the rest of above ingredients in the pan with enough water to make a thick soup consistency. Continue to cook on low for several minutes, stirring occasionally and make the yogurt cream.

To make spicy yogurt topping: 

To insure good body for the spicy yogurt, drain some of the liquid in a strainer. This is a trick I use all the time and if left to strain overnight in the fridge will result in what’s called “yogurt cheese”. An ideal technique to make cold non-fat dips and spreads – just use it as you would a cream cheese or sour cream and flavor as you wish! For this soup garnish I just let it sit for a few minutes.

Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Recipe:

• 1/4 cup strained non-fat yogurt
• Several sprigs of cilantro, leaves stripped off and chopped
• Hot spice of choice – I used Death Rain Habanero powder ( my favorite)
• Salt and pepper

Combine all of the above, seasoning to taste.

Adjust the seasoning of the bisque to taste – curry powder, spice, salt and pepper – and ladle into cups or bowls. Put a dollop of the yogurt on top and enjoy!