Chestnut, roasted butternut squash and Bramley apple soup recipe
 This hearty, rib-sticking soup welcomes all sorts of Christmas leftovers and brings out the best in them. 1.5kg/3lb 5oz butternut squash, seeds removed, flesh cut into large wedges5 tbsp olive oil1 onion, chopped1 garlic clove, finely chopped2 potatoes, cut into cubes1 Bramley apple, peeled, core removed, flesh chopped2 litres/3½ pints hot chicken or vegetable stock1 sprig fresh thyme2 bay leaves 500g/1lb 2oz chestnuts, roasted and peeled, plus extra, sliced, to serve400g/14oz ready-made chestnut puréesalt and freshly ground black pepper 1.5kg/3lb 5oz butternut squash, seeds removed, flesh cut into large wedges 5 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 2 potatoes, cut into cubes 1 Bramley apple, peeled, core removed, flesh chopped 2 litres/3½ pints hot chicken or vegetable stock 1 sprig fresh thyme 2 bay leaves 500g/1lb 2oz chestnuts, roasted and peeled, plus extra, sliced, to serve 400g/14oz ready-made chestnut purée salt and freshly ground black pepper truffle oil, for drizzlingdouble cream, for drizzling (optional) truffle oil, for drizzling double cream, for drizzling (optional) Method Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.Place the butternut squash pieces into a roasting tin and drizzle over three tablespoons of the olive oil. Transfer to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and golden-brown. Set aside to cool. When the butternut squash has cooled, drain off the oil and peel away the skin, taking care not to burn your fingers.Heat the remaining olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the onion, garlic, potatoes and apple and fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened. Add the stock, roasted squash, thyme, bay leaves, chestnuts and the chestnut purée. Stir well and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.Bring the mixture to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Set aside to cool.Transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Return to the pan and heat until warmed through.To serve, divide the soup equally between ten serving bowls. Garnish each serving with a few drops of truffle oil and cream (if using) and sprinkle over the sliced roasted chestnuts. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Place the butternut squash pieces into a roasting tin and drizzle over three tablespoons of the olive oil. Transfer to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and golden-brown. Set aside to cool. Place the butternut squash pieces into a roasting tin and drizzle over three tablespoons of the olive oil. Transfer to the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and golden-brown. Set aside to cool. When the butternut squash has cooled, drain off the oil and peel away the skin, taking care not to burn your fingers. When the butternut squash has cooled, drain off the oil and peel away the skin, taking care not to burn your fingers. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the onion, garlic, potatoes and apple and fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the onion, garlic, potatoes and apple and fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened. Add the stock, roasted squash, thyme, bay leaves, chestnuts and the chestnut purée. Stir well and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the stock, roasted squash, thyme, bay leaves, chestnuts and the chestnut purée. Stir well and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Set aside to cool. Bring the mixture to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Set aside to cool. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Return to the pan and heat until warmed through. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Return to the pan and heat until warmed through. To serve, divide the soup equally between ten serving bowls. Garnish each serving with a few drops of truffle oil and cream (if using) and sprinkle over the sliced roasted chestnuts. To serve, divide the soup equally between ten serving bowls. Garnish each serving with a few drops of truffle oil and cream (if using) and sprinkle over the sliced roasted chestnuts.