Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup from Sunrise

Last year I tested a delicious Bailey's Cheesecake recipe that was sent from Sunrise Senior Living. So when they got in touch again and asked me to try out one of their new recipes I could not wait to see what new meals that had created.

The menus at Sunrise Senior Living are all created by Michelin star chefs and provide only the best quality of food to ensure that people in their care get all of the essential vitamins and nutrients from their meals. Not only do Sunrise provide excellent care but also serve delicious food!

After taking a good look at the menu I decided to have a go at making their Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup. At this time of year soups are a perfect option for lunch on a cold day. They are a lot more satisfying that a boring old sandwich! Soups are not only delicious but they are a great way to consume more natural goodness.

Dining at Sunrise consists of...

• Tailored menus to meet residents’ individual dietary needs
• A choice of favourite classics, regional dishes, resident requests and healthy international recipes
• Finger food choices for residents who need easy-to-eat meals
• Crockery and cutlery designed to make dining easier for people living with dementia
• Fresh, seasonal ingredients chosen by our dining team
• Low-fat, low-sodium, high-fibre, high calcium, reduced-calorie, diabetic friendly and vegetarian choices
• Appetising and attractive food for people who find solids hard to swallow

This is how I got on making their soup...

Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup

Ingredients

140g Peeled Chestnuts (tinned is fine)

140g Diced Fresh Butternut Squash

430ml Vegetable Stock

140ml Warm Whole Milk

20ml Double Cream

400g tin of chopped tomatoes (this is an ingredient that I added to make the soup go further)

Pinch each of thyme, ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Method

1. Place the chestnuts, squash and stock in a saucepan and bring to the boil

2. Reduce to a simmer. Cover and continue to simmer until the squash is tender, about 15 minutes

3. Turn off the heat and puree the soup with a blender until very smooth

4. Slowly whisk in the milk

5. Return soup to the heat and warm through

6. Whisk in the thyme, nutmeg and cinnamon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

7. Serve and add a swirl of cream to each portion

This soup is so delicious and full of flavour. It makes a perfectly, warming lunch on cold days and is even better with a chunk of warm, fresh bread!

Sunrise Senior Living have homes all over the country, from Sunrise Care Homes in Eastbourne to care homes south of Manchester. All together they have a total of 27 care communities across England.

Food plays an enormous part in our health and well being. I am a true believer in putting the best in to get the best physical and mental health from your body and mind. People who are in care homes need to get all of the goodness possible from their meals and it is lovely to see that homes like Sunrise Senior Living and continually updating and improving their menus.

Enjoy x

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.