Golden Winter Soup

8 Servings

2 Tbsp butter
5 cups cubed peeled  butternut squash (about 1 1/2 Ibs or 1 medium squash)
2 cups cubed peeled russet potatoes
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups sliced leek
4 cups fat-free, less sodium chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half
12 oz baguette, cut into 16 slices
3/4 cup (3 oz) shredded Gruyere cheese

Preheat broiler

Melt butter in a large Pot (or dutch oven) over medium high heat.  Add squash, potato, salt and pepper to pan.  Sauté 3 minutes.  Add leek; sauté 1 minute.   Stir in  broth.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender, stirring occasionally.  Place half of potato mixture into a blender.  Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape).  Secure blender lid on blender.  Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters).  Blend until smooth.  Pour into a large bowl.  Repeat procedure with remaining potato mixture.  Stir in half-and-half.  Cover and keep warm. Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet; sprinkle evenly with cheese.  Broil bread slices 2 minutes or until golden.  Ladle 1 cup soup into each of 8 bowls; Servce 2 bread slices with each serving.  Garnish with freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Calories 329
Fat 10.9 g
Sat Fat 6.2 g
Mono fat 3 g
Protein 12.8 g
Carb 46.7 g
Fiber 4.8 g
Cholesterol 30 mg
Iron 3.2 mg
Sodium 813 mg
Calcium 217 mg

From Cooking Light- Barbara Kafka