Rancho La Puerta Recipe: Squash-Apple Soup with Thai Red Curry

Ingredients

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed (about 4 cups)
• 1 apple, cored, peeled, and diced
• 2 leeks, white part only, washed and sliced
• 1 small carrot, peeled and sliced
• ½ stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 2 tsp Thai red curry paste (see note)
• 4 cups basic vegetable stock
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp sea salt, or more to taste
• Thinly sliced chives
• Thin strips of orange zest (optional)