Thai lime-vegetable soup

Instructions

• Mince garlic. Coarsely chop onions. Lightly oil a large wide saucepan or pasta pot and set over medium-low heat. Add garlic and onions. Stir often until onions soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, if using half a butternut squash, scoop out and discard seeds. Peel and cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes. If using packaged squash, cut large pieces into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes. Thinly slice carrots.

• When onions are soft, pour in broth. If using canned broth, add 2 cans of water as well. Stir in coconut milk, chili-garlic sauce, squash and carrots. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often. Then reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered and stirring often, until squash and carrots are almost tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

• Meanwhile, core and seed peppers. Coarsely chop. Thinly slice celery. When squash is almost done, add peppers and celery. Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered and stirring often, until vegetables are done as you like, 5 to 8 more minutes. Stir in juice of half a lime. Add coriander. Taste and add more lime juice, if needed. Soup will keep well, covered and refrigerated, up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. To serve, defrost and reheat in the microwave. If soup separates, stir or whisk until mixed. Or place in a saucepan and stir often over medium-low heat.