Butternut Coconut Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 6 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups vegetable broth (2 cups boiling water plus 1 tablespoon vegetable broth powder) or vegetable stock
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon dried crushed red chile pepper
• 11/2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper