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This month for Cooking with Astrology, we are celebrating our Scorpio friends with a wonderful Moroccan meal..... that is inspired by Ryan Gosling! Tonight's meal starts with this creamy, Moroccan Butternut Squash Soup that is sprinkled with goat cheese. Believe it or not, this soup is lactose free!
Did you know that any cheese aged for more than 45 days, is considered lactose free? This Beeler's goat cheese was even labeled "Lactose Free". How cool is that?
This soup is flavored with a Moroccan spice mixture that is easy to create, and tomato paste. I could not find Harissa, so I opted to use my favorite Chili Garlic Paste from the Asian section of the grocery store. It sounded close enough!
So why did I choose Ryan Gosling over all of the other Scorpios? Hey Girl.....
I absolutely love these crazy photos on pinterest! He owns a Moroccan restaurant in Los Angeles named Tagine, so that sealed the deal! I just love it when everything falls into place.
How to make Moroccan Butternut Squash Soup:
In a large Dutch oven, toss together onion, kosher salt, and olive oil. Cover and steam over medium-low heat until the onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
Add the squash, cover with a sheet of parchment paper and a lid, and steam for 20 minutes.
Next, add the tomato paste, spices, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat ad simmer until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and puree with an immersion blender until smooth. Or puree in a blender in small batches.
Add the cream, three-quarters of the crumbled cheese, and the harissa*. Puree until velvety smooth.
Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
The most difficult part about this meal, was finding anything Moroccan! The spices, ingredients, even place mats were no where to be found. So I kept things pretty simple, and I will include all of the substitutions that I made.
The incredibly delicious entree ^^^ is Chicken Tagine with Olives & Lemons. For dessert we have a Moroccan Orange Cake.....
and then an Avocado & Date Smoothie for breakfast.....
My best friend Michelle is a Scorpio, so I ran most of these recipe ideas by her for her approval. 🙂
Okay, let's get down to businesses. Scorpio runs from October 23rd thru November 21st. The symbol of the Scorpio is a scorpion. Their ruling planet it Pluto. Is Pluto still a planet? Their element is Water, and the body part that is ruled, is the reproductive organs. So it's all about getting Scorpio in the mood!
Scorpio is the solar opposite of Taurus (me), so half of our personalities are very similar.....that's why we get along so well! The other half, is completely opposite! Scorpios do best when paired with a Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces, or Cancer. They should avoid relationships with Aries and Gemini.
Enjoy!!
Moroccan Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- sea salt to taste
- 2 pounds butternut squash peeled, seeded, chopped into 1 1/2-inch chunks
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon La Kama Spice Mixture see below
- 4 cups hot water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or substitute full fat coconut milk (can)
- 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- 1 teaspoon harissa paste see below
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, toss together onion, kosher salt, and olive oil. Cover and steam over medium-low heat until the onion is soft, about 10 minutes.
- Add the squash, cover with a sheet of parchment paper and a lid, and steam for 20 minutes.
- Next, add the tomato paste, spices, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat ad simmer until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and puree with an immersion blender until smooth. Or puree in a blender in small batches.
- Add the cream, three-quarters of the crumbled cheese, and the harissa*. Puree until velvety smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Notes
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cubeb pepper (I used chili powder)
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Mix spices together, and store in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place. Harissa - I could not find this in Iowa, so I substituted Chili Garlic Paste (from the Asian food section).
Amy | Club Narwhal says
This soup sounds fantastic! I'm totally in love with Moroccan food but never make it at home because ingredients are hard to track down. But this soup is too good to resist 🙂 Putting it on my meal plan next week--and PS that orange cake is GORGEOUS! PPS: Ryan Gosling owns a Moroccan restaurant? Is there anything this man can't do?
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Nommmm!! This sounds so delicious. I love butternut squash soup and make it the same way - in my dutch oven and then I blend it. Chèvre is my one of my fave cheeses and sounds like a wonderful addition so I am totally trying that next time!! Pinning and sharing this now! xo
{PS: I also have that same bundt pan but I have a bundt pan problem. lol}
Brooke (DesignedByBH) says
I made an African butternut squash soup once and it was delish, so I'll be pinning this one, too!
I have to be honest, I read the whole post, but I'm still stuck on the fact about cheeses aged for more than 45 days being lactose free! Plus I just like goat cheese but dare not bring it into my house (hubby isn't a fan!).
Thanks for sharing this and for being a part of the Daily Blog Boost! 🙂
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I love spiced soups like this one, it sounds amazing! And the goat cheese topping is calling my name. I'd love to have this for dinner tomorrow, it's been so cold here for the last few days! x
Maria says
I love Moroccan cuisine. The soup sounds delicious.
I haven't cooked with harissa, I know my brother loves it and buys it from his local Whole Foods (now available where I live but I am sure they ship). I was just at a specialized olive oil store and was looking at Harissa Olive Oil. Now I am thinking I should give it a try.
Cooking with astrology? How fun! I am off to see if there is a libra post:)
Maria
Marcie@flavorthemoments says
I adore butternut squash soup, and this version sounds different and exciting! I did not know that about dry ages cheese, and you have me cracking up in those Ryan Gosling photos!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Lisa, that soup looks amazing and what a great post! Being such an astrology buff myself, I just LOVE your cooking with astrology posts so much! The Ryan Gosling photos were definitely the icing on the cake. 😉 Pinning and buffering!
Julie @ a This Gal Cooks says
Great soup, Lisa! I think I have all ingredients on hand to make this! Pinning and sharing on social media today!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Hi Lisa, I love butternut squash soup! Your astrology series has been fun to follow.... pinned!
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
The soup sounds delicious! I love butternut squash soup, especially this time of year. Pinning! Thanks for sharing at Show Stopper Saturday!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Tanya Schroeder says
Lisa, I'm really enjoying your Cooking Astrology!! The Ryan Gosling pictures are pretty good too! This soup is gorgeous! Man that color! I would love to try this on my family! Thanks for sharing at Saturday Night Fever!
Susan @ Oh My! Creative says
Thanks you for sharing you soup with us at Whimsy Wednesday! I wanted to let you know I featured you today!
Have a great day...Susan