The healthy mind cookbook Big-flavor recipes to enhance brain function, mood, memory, and mental clarity

Gingered Butternut Squash Soup with Walnut Cream Makes 6 servings * Prep Time: 15 minutes * Cook Time: 20 minutes There's something invigorating about the fall. The crispness in the air, the world settling down for a long siesta . . . these changes around me, trigger changes in the kitchen. My bellwether of the season to come is butternut squash soup. The squash is high in potassium and vitamin B6, which benefits nerve health, and paired with apple and ginger it is as soothing as it gets. The walnut cream gives the soup that satiating taste that befits the feeling of coming home after a brisk fall walk. Walnut Cream 1 cup walnuts, toasted 3/4 cup water 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon Grade B maple syrup Fresh grating of nutmeg Soup 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced 1 small shallot, chopped Sea salt 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 11/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped 5 cups Classic Magic Mineral Broth (page 44) or store-bought organic vegetable broth, plus more if needed Grade B maple syrup Freshly squeezed lemon juice To make the walnut cream, combine the walnuts, water, lemon juice, maple syrup, sea salt, and nutmeg in a blender or food processor. Process until creamy smooth, about two minutes, and set aside. To make the soup, heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat, then add the onion, shallot, and a pinch of salt. Sauté until golden and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add ginger, allspice, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes and sauté 1 minute longer. Add the butternut squash, apple, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, stirring and cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in 1/2 cup of the broth to deglaze the pan, stirring to loosen any bits stuck to the pot, and cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the remaining 41/2 cups of broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium low, cover, and simmer until the squash is tender, about 15 minutes. In a blender, puree the soup in batches until very smooth, adding more broth or water if you'd like a thinner soup. Return the soup to the pot and gently reheat. Taste; you may want to add a pinch of salt, a drop of maple syrup, or a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve garnished with 1 teaspoon of walnut cream in each bowl. Store the walnut cream in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to five days or the freezer for later use. Cook's Note: If you don't want to take out your chainsaw, many grocers have done the heavy lifting for you. Look for precut butternut squash cubes in the produce section. For this recipe, you'll need about 5 cups. Per Serving: Calories: 139; Total Fat: 5 g (1 g saturated, 4 g mono- unsaturated); Carbohydrates: 25 g; Protein: 2 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 160 mg Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Excerpted from The Healthy Mind Cookbook: Big-Flavor Recipes to Enhance Brain Function, Mood, Memory, and Mental Clarity by Rebecca Katz, Mat Edelson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.