Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Crock Pot Soup!

Fall isn't here yet in the south, but my mind is telling me it is. With that I wanted to make some butternut squash soup. 

I am a huge fan of crock pot cooking and for that I am grateful because we spent this summer with no AC. 

In the south. 

Grilling and crock pot cooking saved me from heating up the house even more to try and make some decent food. This girl cannot live on pbj's all summer, I need a hot meal once in a while. 

So lets talk about this beautiful soup!!

I got two beautiful butternut squash from my garden and wanted to make soup. They were a bit on the small side, so on the fly I added some sweet potatoes.  Thus the name of the soup :)

Here's what you need:

Makes 4 servings

7 - 8 cups of butternut squash (if you don't have enough, throw in some sweet potatoes)

2 stalks of celery

1/2 onion

1/2 c carrots

3 cloves garlic

3 cups broth

olive oil

herbs of your choice

salt/pepper

sour cream

crispy fried bacon.

Let's break it down!

Chop onions, celery, carrots and garlic and saute them in a small amount of olive oil until tender and add salt and pepper. While this is simmering, start the impossible job of peeling the butternut squash. Now that I found out I can buy them at the store already cubed...Never again.

As stated earlier, I didn't have enough squash, so I made up the difference with sweet potatoes. 

Now chuck it all into your crock pot - raw!

Add the sauted veggies and 3 cups of stock. I used veggie stock because I am 3/4 vegan. Chicken stock is great, but beef seems to over power the taste for some reason - IMHO

Now herb it up the way you want!

I used thyme and red pepper flakes for this batch. 

I have used sage, rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon and I have even added a couple of apples, IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!

Set it to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. You judge the time by your cooker :)

You can also simmer this on the stove in a lidded pot, or in a slow oven of about 325 degrees in a dutch oven. 

Bottom line - simmer slowly until everything is super tender.

Now that this has simmered all day, and the house smells amazing, hit this mess with an immersion blender.

If you don't have an immersion blender, try a drink blender, food processor, ninja, or even a hand mixer for this soup. Get creative!!!

Speaking of creative, here, if you want, you can add in a bit of butter, or some heavy cream. Trust me, if I could tolerate the cream, I would be adding 1/2 c heavy cream in this mess. 

Note: If you are going to add cream, just cut back the same amount of broth so it doesn't get too runny. 

You want it nice and smooth. 

My mouth is watering writing this post!!!

This soup is my husbands favorite. 

It really is a no fuss no muss kinda soup. 

Honestly I think it took longer to peel, clean and cube the squash than it did to simmer in the crock pot!

Big Daddy likes a blop of sour cream and crumbled bacon on the top of his. I eat mine plain - remember I am 3/4 vegan :)

Here it is, super easy amazing hearty soup for fall, or any time. I hope you like it!!

Leave a comment below if you made the soup, and if you made any changes to the recipe to fit your tastes!!

More crock pot recipes coming!!!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

 

Quinoa Patties!!

I have been vegan for quite some time now. It all started with developing an intolerance to dairy, and it just seemed like the natural progression. I am not a staunch vegan, I will eat an occasional egg, or fish, so instead of labeling myself, I am just a picky eater :)

This being said, I do not buy all the processed "nutritional" vegan meat substitutes. They have too many ingredients, and I am suspect of them. I am a very limited ingredient type of person. I don't need to buy pre made food. It is easy to make with things I already have in my pantry. ** I had left over quinoa and didn't want to waste it, was pretty tired of eating it, and wanted to find a way to re use it that I could freeze for later.

Stumbled on these, and modified the recipe like I always do!

***** for this to be vegan, you can substitute eggs with mashed sweet potatoes, but I haven't done that yet, and can't tell you how much to use. Please experiment and let me know!!! This recipe also called for Parmesan cheese - I used the nutritional yeast instead. It also called for 1 cup of bread crumbs, and touching back on the limited ingredient thing, I didn't want to use that much. I had some panko in the pantry from another recipe, so I just backed off the amount and added other things to help with the binding.***

Quinoa patties! (these are NOT vegan) 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
4 eggs (beaten - poor eggs)

small chopped onion

3 cloves garlic

parsley flakes, salt, pepper, cumin to taste - bout 1 tsp each, mabbe a little more parsley

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup bread crumbs

MIx all dry ingredients until mixed well - add eggs and mix until wet - you can add a bit of water, I did. Use some olive oil in a skillet and get it hot. Drop 1/3 cup of the mixture into skillet, mash down a bit, and brown on both sides.

OMG so good!!!

They come out bout the same size as a hamburger pattie and would fit on a bun perfect. Makes 9 patties.

I am going to freeze them and see how they re heat.

How have your experiments turned out? How do you substitute? Share and let us all know!

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind

All of my creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit.

Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry made with love!