Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

A luxurious winter soup warmed with spices and finished off with coconut milk. Luxurious but low calorie. Only 171 calories per bowl (6 portions or 128 calories per bowl (8 portions).

Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

I think I'm pretty organised for Christmas. The decorations are up and the presents are bought.

I've decided what we're having for Christmas dinner and now I just have to do a food shop and wrap those presents while watching a Christmas movie. Then I can just sit back and enjoy the holiday. 

I still need to decide which soup I'll be serving as our starter, so  I decided to try out a new recipe.

This soup has some of the best winter vegetables, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and carrots. A lot of sweetness and depth of flavour paired with some warmth from spice.

To give it that luxurious finish I added coconut milk at the end and blended it, but not until it was completely smooth. I always think you need a bit of texture in a soup, don't you?

Also try - Sweet Potato, Green Lentil and Spinach Soup

Just in case you're as nosey as I am, I'll tell you a little bit about our Christmas. 

Sometimes I have a house full of guests with one or both sets of parents here, but this year it will just be the three of us and my brother-in-law Lachlan

In the morning the boy will run through to tell us that Santa has been, trailing his stocking behind him.

Thankfully he doesn't get up at the crack of dawn like other children. So it will be between 7 am and 8 am which is fine.

We'll enjoy having a look through his stocking gifts and talk about Santa's visit, then we'll all have a quick shower and get ready to meet the day.

Love butternut squash? Try this slow cooker squash, sweet potato & bean chilli.

Jolly Christmas music plays all day (I prefer the rat pack and crooners to the modern tunes). We don't really put the tv on, not even for the Queen's speech. 

We start with a leisurely breakfast, then tidy up before Lachlan arrives mid morning when we take turns opening presents, while sipping bucks fizz (fruit juice for the boy) joined by both sets of grandparents on Skype.

We skip lunch and have an early dinner. We pull our Christmas crackers, toast each other and enjoy our starter, then we take a break to relax before sitting down to our main course and dessert.

A dog walk wakes us up again and after dinner we play board games until the boy goes to bed (much later than normal).

Once he and his boundless energy are tucked into bed, we're feeling pretty tired and at that point we usually put the TV on and chill out until Lachlan heads home and we give in and go to bed.

It's always fun and always exhausting.

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Luxurious low calorie soup

This soup is luxurious but low calorie, so great if you are watching your weight before the festive over indulgence. Good for the 5:2 Diet too.  It comes in at only 128 calories if you divide the pot into 8 bowls or 171 calories if divided into 6 portions. You can also lower the fat by using light coconut milk.

Yield: 6-8Author: Jacqueline Meldrum

Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

A luxurious winter soup warmed with spices and finished off with coconut milk. Luxurious but low calorie. Only 171 calories per bowl (6 portions or 128 calories per bowl (8 portions).

prep time: 10 MINScook time: 30 MINStotal time: 40 mins

ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tsp ginger, finely grated 
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 large carrots, chopped
• 1 large sweet potato, chopped
• ½ butternut squash, cubed
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• 1 ½  litres vegetable stock (3 stock cubes)
• 1-2 tbsp frozen coriander (or a handful of fresh, chopped)
• 200ml coconut milk
• a good grinding of salt and pepper

instructions

1. In a large pan saute the onion, garlic and ginger in the olive oil until soft.
2. Add the sweet potato, carrots and butternut squash and cook gently for 5 minutes.
3. Add the spices and stir, then add the stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cooker for 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in the coriander and coconut milk and blend a little to thicken, but don't blend completely smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Enjoy!

calories
128

fat (grams)
8

sat. fat (grams)
5.6

carbs (grams)
14

protein (grams)
1.9

sugar (grams)
4

Created using The Recipes Generator

If you are still planning your Christmas meal, check out my Veggie Christmas Page. If you are looking for some tasty shortcuts, drinks and nibbles check out my guide to Christmas at M&S and if you are just looking for easy but hearty winter meals check out 48 Easy Winter Vegan Meals.