Butternut Tomato Soup

Soup is one of my favorite dinners during the fall and winter months. I came across a new soup recipe here at Deals to Meals and wanted to share because it turned out so yummy! It's creamy butternut tomato soup.

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash, cut in half & seeds removed
1 onion, cut into large pieces
Drizzle of olive oil or butter
2 1/2-3 c. chicken broth
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 pint whipping cream or half & half
3 cans diced tomatoes (or fresh)
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
2 t. salt, to taste
2 T. brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 t. basil
2 t. Italian seasoning
2 1/2-3 t. chicken bouillon or chicken base
1 t. black pepper

Cut the squash in half and place on a cookie sheet. Cut the onions as well and place them on a cookie sheet. Drizzle the onion and squash with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Cook in the oven at 400 degrees for 25-35 minutes, or until the squash is soft and tender. My squash took approximately 45 minutes to soften. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for a few minutes until room temperature.

Place the onions in a food processor and pulse until smooth, and then place in a large soup pot. Turn the heat to medium heat and saute onions in a littler more olive oil. While this is coming to heat, spoon out the insides of the squash and place in the soup pan.

Continue to cook for awhile until the onions are even more soft and then add the seasonings, garlic, chicken bouillon and the chicken broth. Continue to simmer for a few minutes and then add the canned tomatoes.

Let the soup simmer until it is warmed through and the squash has broken down nicely. If you like a really smooth soup you can use a hand wand to blend the soup or add ladles full of soup into your food processor and blend the soup until smooth.

Once the soup is simmering you can add the evaporated milk and whipping cream. Season the soup to your desired liking (more kick, add cayenne pepper, more sweetness add more brown sugar, more salt, etc.)

Serve this soup with grilled cheese sandwiches or warm bread out of the oven. Enjoy!