Warm Up with Curried Onion Apple Soup

After a busy holiday season, January’s cold snap has me looking for warm, comforting, healthy, but totally satisfying meals! To me, a steamy bowl of soup is the perfect and this Curried Onion Apple Soup is one of my favorites because it combines a few of my favorite things:  savory caramelized onions with sweet, crisp, apple and then made even more soothing with a generous dose of curry powder.

Curried Caramelized Onion Apple Soup

Smooth and creamy, this is the kind of soup to keep you satisfied and warm on a long winter day. Garnish with a few caramelized onions, cooling yogurt, and crunchy apple for the perfect steamy bowl of comfort.

Makes: 8 cups

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds yellow onions, thinly sliced
3 red skinned apples, peeled, cored and chopped (I use Royal Gala)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 cup apple cider
3-1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chopped potato
1 cup coconut milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
Optional garnish: caramelized onion, apple cut into matchsticks or thin slices, plain yogurt

Preparation

In a large heavy bottom saucepan, melt butter with oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until caramelized. This process is worth the time it takes for full caramelization, at least 30 to 35 minutes. Reserve a few onions for the garnish, if desired. Add apples, garlic, ginger, and curry powder; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add apple cider to deglaze the pan; increase heat to high until reduced by half. Add broth and potato, bring to a boil then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and salt; simmer for 5 minutes.

Purée soup with an immersion blender until it’s smooth. Alternatively, a blender can be used to purée the soup in batches. Return soup to the pot and simmer until warmed through before serving.

Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with a drizzle of yogurt, reserved caramelized onions, and apple.

Recipe provided by the National Onion Association; image by Lori Rice.