Wow, where has the last year gone to? It seems to have flown by! My eldest son left for his 2nd year of university today, and my younger one is now in the sixth form doing his A levels. Children grow up so fast, before you know it they are off. It made me think that every second we share with our loved ones is precious. Every hug counts.
I was in my early twenties when I lost my father to cancer. He was gone within 6 weeks. 6 weeks that went by in a blur.

Take plenty of pictures of those taking the photos, I don't have that many of my dad, he was always behind the camera
A Taste of Yellow is an event where food bloggers from around the world are invited to contribute a yellow dish, or drink, to raise awareness of cancer issues worldwide. The event is hosted by Barbara of Winos and Foodies, a cancer survivor herself, in support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Because of organisations like LiveSTRONG, there are many new drugs and treatments available worldwide, and so much more research is being done to find a cure.

Butternut Squash Soup with Red Chilli
A warming autumnal soup, chillies are optional!
Adapted from my mum's vegetable soup recipe.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon paprika
2 bay leaves
1 sprig of rosemary
1 fresh red chilli, finely diced
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
Water or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon of vegetable stock powder or cube - if using water
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large saucepan, heat the oil and butter and start frying the onion. Add the ground cumin, paprika, bay leaves, sprig of rosemary and the red chilli. Stir on a medium heat until the onion has softened, don't let the spices and herbs burn.
Add the carrots, butternut squash and potatoes, stir and cook for about 5 minutes.
Add enough vegetable stock to cover the vegetables, or use water. Bring up to a boil and then turn the heat down low and simmer for about 45 minutes. Add vegetable stock powder or a cube to taste if you used water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove the bay leaves and sprig of rosemary. Allow the soup to cool a little before putting it into a blender in batches and blend until there are no lumps. You could use a stick blender if you want. Return the soup to the pan to warm through. Add some more stock if the soup is a little too thick.
Garnish with some chilli oil, croutons and chives. Serve with warm crusty French bread or pumpkin bread.
Printable Recipe

Previous Taste of Yellow Recipes on Cherrapeno:
Mirabelle Jam
Pineapple Sorbet
Lemon Curd
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This content belongs to Nicisme at Cherrapeno. All writing and photography copyright N Fowers © 2007-2010 unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved.
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28 comments:
Oh Nic, what a warm, tender and loving photograph that is of you and your dad.
My only attempt at butternut squash was terrible. First of all - I had no idea how to peel it. I've learned since then, but have not attempted butternut squash. Yours looks delicious. Since your dad was always behind the camera, I'm sure he'd appreciate your pictures too.
Thank you so much Nic for sharing your heart and your father on LiveSTRONG Day.
A beautiful dish and such lovely hearts. Thank you.
Mmm, sounds yummy! And I love the heart-shaped croutons!
Love the photo of you and your Dad! Lovely ;0)
Thank you for reminding me that I need to get my Taste Of Yellow done as well!!!
Sorry to hear your dad died when you were young - I am sure you must think of him often! Those croutons are adorable
What a touching post Nic, and beautiful too. I agree; take loads of pictures as often who you love most is behind the camera! What a lovely picture you've posted there. Love the soup too ... bookmarked!
HUGS my friend, many of them!
Cynthia - thank you, I just found that photo at my mum's house last week.
Merut - Thanks! I only discovered how delicious butternut squash was a couple of years ago! Give it a go, it's wonderful roasted with red peppers and onions.
Barbara - Thank you so much!
Charlene - Thank you! And croutons are the easiest thing in the world to make a dish look pretty!
Chele - Thanks! I'll look forward to seeing yours.
Johanna - yes, I do think of him often! Thank you for visiting.
Deeba - hugs to you too! and I hope you are having plenty of photos taken of your own self!!
I touching reminder Nic of cherishing each moment with our loved ones.
You've got me thinking about what sunshine on a plate I could conjure up on this grey old Sunday.
What a lovely tribute & ode to your beloved dad!
This soup truly looks so appetizing,..I love the toasted hart in the middle of your lovely spiced up soup!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,...!!!
This is such a tribute to your dad from start to finish Nic. Barbara;s event is such an inspiration.
Love the smoky spices you've paired with the sweet squash. Nice yin-yang of falvours.
Beautiful tribute to your dad, love ur pif with dad...loving ur super cute soup, slurp delicious!
Possibly the cutest and most beautiful soup I have ever seen! Very sweet photograph of you and your Dad.
That's a beautiful photo of you and your dad. Great post, and a wonderful tribute to your dad.
I like the pic of you and your dad. You both look so happy.
And a deliciously comforting soup. I like the croutons ;)
lovely soup & a lovely tribute!
a lovely post! i just love the photograph of the two of you. the soup warms the heart a little more.
Nic - thanks! what a ghastly day eh? Hoping for sunshine next week!
Sophie - thank you so much!
Valli - I agree, it is!
Peter - thank you! Chillies and squash go sell together.
Ananda Rajashekar - thanks!
Hazel - how sweet, thank you!
Su-yin - how kind, thank you!
Vanille - lovely memories for me. Thanks so much.
petite nyonya - thank you!
MeetaK - thanks, I just recently got that photo and am so glad I did!
Hi Nic...that's a lovely picture of you and your dad...that's a really biiiig hug! I lost my dad to cancer when I was 16 so I know how you feel about it.
I love butternut squash....but what a faf to peel it! I mostly just cut it in half scoop out the seeds and roast it.
Lovely post and the little heart croutons are just right, really touching. The soup looks wonderfully warm and comforting too
Lovely pic of your dad and you ;o)
Your Butternut squash soup looks so inviting and delish!
Maria
x
What a lovely tribute to your Dad and a lovely photo of you both.
I have a butternut squash just waiting to be turned into soup tomorrow and was looking for a good recipe - what a coincidence!
What a lovely posting Nic. The soup looks really rich and spicy.
6 weeks, how awful, I'm so sorry. I love the photo of you both, so sweet! And the hearts too, I'm such a sucker for cute shaped croutons and cookies and stuff ^_^
I can't imagine the speed with which that happened to your dad and your family, it makes me think how we have to live more in the moment as we don't know what's around the corner. It is a wonderful picture of you together.
On a cheerier note, you really don't look old enough to have a son at university!
What a beautiful soup! I could dive right in!
Patchwork Dragon - hi Sandie, I'm sorry that you lost your dad at such a young age, it can take so long to get over it. :(
Roasting one is a great idea!
Katie - thank you!
Maria - thanks!
Antonia - I hope you made good use of your squash, it's one of my favourite vegetables!
Margaret - thank you!
Sasa - thank you for your sweet comment!
Sarah - we really do have to live more for today, you just don't know what tomorrow brings!
Ha ha, very funny - I left my zimmer frame behind when I went to the FBC!
Anonymous - thank you!
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