Scrumptious Squash Soup

This soup is very smooth and almost has a strange consistency so it might take a couple of bowls to get used to it. It is absolutely "scrumy" (as my Aunty Janice called it in her email.) I have opted to make it healthier and veggie but I will include the original ingredients and put my option in parenthesis. Costco sells the squash already diced and that makes the preparation so much easier. If you have never tried to cut a butternut squash here's a tip- get a guillotine to do it as it is very awkward and tough to cut through.

Ingredients:
2 oz. butter (option: 2 tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1 medium onion, diced
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1 1/2 lb. butternut squash
7 oz. parsnips (approx), diced
7 oz. potatoes (approx), diced
3 chicken stock cubes blended with 900 mls hot water (option: vegetable stock)
salt, pepper, cream to serve (optional)

Heat oven to 350 and place squash and parsnips on tray. Use pastry brush to coat with E.V.Olive Oil, and put in oven to roast until soft. Usually, they will be ready once all other steps are followed.

In a large skillet heat cumin seeds on very low but be careful not to burn. Around a minute and keep them moving. Add olive oil and onion and saute until soft.

Pour the chicken stock, potatoes, roasted vegetables, and onion mixture into crock pot. Allow to simmer until all vegetables are cooked and soft enough to blend. Puree mixture until smooth and all one consistency.

Aunty Alison's Shortbread

Here is the recipe for shortbread from my lovely Aunty Alison, a sweet Northern Irish lady who knows how to make some incredible shortbread! It is very simple and easy to make. IMPORTANT: never ever substitute margarine for the butter, the Scots don't know what margarine is and therefore, it will not work for this traditional late night biccy.

Ingredients:
8 oz. Butter (at room temperature)
4 oz. Caster Sugar
8 oz. Plain Flour (sieved)
4 oz. Corn Flour (sieved)

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Use parchment paper on a baking tray. Cream the butter and sugar until light and well blended. Beat in the sieved flour and corn flour. Use hands to stick the dough together. Knead the dough on a floured surface and roll out to about 1/2" thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on tray. Bake for 35-40 mins. Color should be pale and bottom slightly darker (it is important to not brown them), remove from oven and sprinkle sugar on them while they are still hot. Allow to cool. Enjoy!
Best with: A cup of Scottish Blend tea while watching Keeping Up Appearances.

My first try at blogging...

I decided to start this blog to share some my recipes... I will be setting it up and hopefully have some of the recipes posted soon :)