Butternut Squash And Pear Soup With Garam Masala

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 fat garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/4 teaspoon hot paprika or aleppo pepper
• 1 medium butternut squash (1 1/4 pound), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 pears, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
• 1 quart vegetable stock, or water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 cup coconut milk
• freshly ground pepper