Butternut Squash Soup

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 medium butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeds discarded, washed, and reserved
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth, divided
• 2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Using 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, grease the sliced surface of the squash and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange on a baking sheet and roast at 400ºF until very tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• In a large heavy pot over medium-high heat, add the remaining olive oil, onion, celery, and carrot, then season with a pinch of salt. Saute until just tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Scoop the butternut squash flesh into the pot and stir. Add 4 cups of the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup until very smooth. If necessary, add more of the remaining stock to create desired consistency. Mix in 2 teaspoons of the chipotle into the soup, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a small bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of chipotle and the sour cream. Season the chipotle cream with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the soup to bowls. Top each with a dollop of chipotle cream and serve.

Note: A chipotle chile is a smoked, dried jalapeno. They can be found dried, pickled or canned "in adobo" which is a sauce made with ground chiles, herbs, vinegar and spices. The sauce tends to be milder than the chipotles themselves and can be used in place of them to reduce the heat in a dish.