Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 1/2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 3/4 cup chopped carrot
• 1/2 cups fat-free, less sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Cheesy Bread:

• 4 (1-ounce) slices French bread
• 3 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add squash, carrot, and onion; saute for 12 minutes. Add chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in half-and-half and salt.
2. Preheat broiler.
3. Place squash mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape), and secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth.
4. For cheesy bread, arrange French bread on a baking sheet. Broil for 1 minute or until lightly toasted. Turn bread over, and top evenly with Swiss cheese. Broil for 1 minute or until bubbly.