Soup to warm the heart

When it's chilly outside, it's best to fill up the internal radiator unit (tummy!) with wholesome, filling soup. Inspired by LittlePod's very own chef, Dave Buchanen, I concocted my very own chowder, based on his sweetcorn chowder with a few additions/substitutions. Dr Beesley prescribes this as a take to work lunch in a thermos, served with crusty fresh bread and butter. Don't feel bad about the butter, not when the soup is so low fat and good for you!


Butternut Squash, Sweetcorn and vanilla Chowder
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 white onion
1 tbsp olive oil
1 butternut squash
1 can of sweetcorn
100g of mushrooms
2 garlic cloves
dried chilli flakes
1 pint chicken stock
1 tsp LittlePod vanilla paste
100g light philadelphia (I like the garlic & herb one!)
pepper & salt (to taste)
pumkin seeds to serve


Instructions:

Peel and cube the butternut squash and roast in a pre-heated oven at 350F/175C with half the olive oil and a sprinkling of s&p. It should take about 30min for them to soften, but check after 20min. A knife should go through them easily, like a boiled potato. Chop the onion and lightly fry in a large saucepan with the rest of the olive oil. After they've gone soft and translucent, add the mushrooms (if they're big ones, cut them up a bit) and the drained can of sweetcorn and peeled and roughly cut garlic. Add a small 1/2 tsp of chilli flakes, you can add more later if you're feeling brave!

Once the mushrooms have softened, add the butternut squash to the pan, the chicken stock and a tsp of LittlePod vanilla paste. Leave it on a light simmer for 30min, adding the philadelphia right at the end then blitz it! I love the handheld blitzers, just don't get to enthusiastic - keep the soup in the saucepan! Now put it back on the hob for a few minutes to heat it all up again (while you give your bread a chance to get a bit toasty in the oven) and season to taste.

Ladle into bowls, serving with warm crusty bread and a sprinkling of pumkin seeds to make it look extra special. Now tuck in and forget about the cold weather outside!