ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND SQUASH SOUP (Best. Soup. Ever!!!)

We love soup.  All kinds of soup.  And especially in the winter... hot, delicious, homemade soup just seems to warm us up from the inside out.

Well, I made a new recipe yesterday (Italian Sausage and Squash Soup) that just may be my new favorite soup recipe. Really!  So easy, yet so *different*.  And simply perfect for these c-c-c-cold PA nights!  (Served with hot, crusty artisan bread, I think I could've eaten the whole pot myself!)

My husband LOVED it, too.  Gave it his ultimate compliment: "It's cruise ship good!"  LOL!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND SQUASH SOUP 

1	lb. bulk Italian sausage
2	Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 1⁄2	cups diced onion
2	Tbsp. minced garlic
1	butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch chunks
1⁄2	tsp. red pepper flakes
2	cups low-sodium chicken broth
2	cups water
1	cup diced red bell pepper
1⁄2	cup heavy cream
1	tsp. ground dried sage
1	tsp. sugar
2	cups packed baby spinach, coarsely chopped
3	Tbsp. brandy
	Salt and black pepper to taste

Brown sausage in 1 Tbsp. oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.

Sweat onion and garlic in 1 Tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium heat until soft, 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add squash and pepper flakes, and saute 5 minutes.

Stir in broth and water, bring to a boil, and simmer until squash is very soft, about 10 minutes. Puree soup with a hand blender (or in batches in a standard blender), then add bell pepper, cream, sage, and sugar; simmer until bell pepper is tender, about 5 minutes.

Stir in spinach, brandy, and sausage, and simmer until spinach wilts and sausage is heated through, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

1/14/11 ADDENDUM


So my tricky big sister, Laurel, had a great idea that I just had to share,
She used Trader Joe's butternut squash soup (in the box) as a short-cut base for this soup.  Then stirred in all additions as per the recipe.
I tasted it myself and I must say, it was good -- darn good! 
So tuck that li'l time-saving trick under your cap, and if you try it, think of my oh-so-smart sister!   ;o)

Recipe and photo From Cuisine at Home