- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup apple cider
- 1 (1- 3/4) pound butternut squash – peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch dice
- 4 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 McIntosh apple, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1/3 cup coarsely shredded smoked cheddar cheese
- Garnish:
- One-inch pieces of chives or thinly sliced sage leaves
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add the apple cider and cook until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Add the butternut squash and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
- In a blender, puree the soup in batches. Return the soup to the saucepan and stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
- Heat a medium skillet. Add the butter and diced apple and cook over high heat until the apple is tender and golden around the edges, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Ladle the soup into warmed bowls; garnish with the smoked cheddar, sauteed apples and chives; serve.