BUTTERNUT SQUASH CUBES RECIPES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the butternut squash and cook for 5 mins, stirring over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for a further 5 mins until the onion is translucent. Meanwhile make up 2 litres of stock using the stock cubes.

  Add the rice and stir for 1 min to heat, then add a ladleful of stock and stir. Cook until the rice absorbs the stock before adding more, a ladleful at a time. Continue cooking for 10-15 mins, stirring, until the rice is almost cooked and all of the stock has been absorbed.

  Stir in the peas and dill. Cool half the rice on a baking sheet and when cold put into a freezerproof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly and reheat until piping hot.

  Cook the remaining rice for a further 4-5 mins until just tender. Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve. Top with parmesan shavings, if desired.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Cut the squash into large cubes, about 4cm/1½in across, then toss in a large roasting tin with 1 tbsp of the olive oil.
• Roast for 30 mins, turning once during cooking, until golden and soft.
• While the butternut squash cooks, melt the butter with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan, then add the onions, garlic clove and three-quarters of the chillies.
• Cover and cook on a very low heat for 15-20 mins until the onions are completely soft.
• Tip the butternut squash into the pan, add the stock and crème fraîche, then whizz with a stick blender until smooth. For a really silky soup, put the soup into a liquidiser and blitz it in batches.
• Return to the pan, gently reheat, then season to taste. Serve the soup in bowls with swirls of crème fraîche and a scattering of the remaining chopped chilli.