Norwegian Pumpkin Soup Food

NORWEGIAN PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; sauté until softened, 5 minutes. Add pumpkin and mace, and stir well to coat. Sauté 5 minutes more, stirring to prevent browning.
• Add hot stock, and bring to a boil. Partly cover with a lid, and simmer until pumpkin is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Pour soup into a large jug or bowl, and add 2 cups grated cheese. Allow mixture to cool for about 15 minutes. With a blender, purée soup in batches. Return purée to a clean saucepan, and reheat over medium-low heat. Adjust salt to taste, and ladle into four soup bowls. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkling of remaining cheese, and serve.

PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan, then gently cook 2 finely chopped onions for 5 mins, until soft but not coloured.
• Add 1kg pumpkin or squash, cut into chunks, to the pan, then carry on cooking for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until it starts to soften and turn golden.
• Pour 700ml vegetable or chicken stock into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins until the squash is very soft.
• Pour 150ml double cream into the pan, bring back to the boil, then purée with a hand blender. For an extra-velvety consistency you can pour the soup through a fine sieve. The soup can now be frozen for up to 2 months.
• To make the croutons: cut 4 slices wholemeal seeded bread into small squares.
• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan, then fry the bread until it starts to become crisp.
• Add a handful of pumpkin seeds to the pan, then cook for a few mins more until they are toasted. These can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
• Reheat the soup if needed, taste for seasoning, then serve scattered with croutons and seeds and drizzled with more olive oil, if you want.

VEGAN PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Peel, deseed and chop the pumpkin into 3cm chunks (reserve the seeds for the relish - see tip). Tip the pumpkin onto a baking tray, drizzle over half the oil, scatter with the allspice and toss well. Season and roast for 30 mins until golden and tender. Meanwhile, toast the coconut flakes for the relish in a dry frying pan over a low heat for a few minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the pan and leave to cool, then stir in the pumpkin seeds, chilli, coriander and lime zest.
• Heat the remaining oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, and fry the onion for 5 mins until tender but not golden. Add the ginger and garlic and fry for another minute, then tip in 1 litre stock and the miso. Put the roasted pumpkin in the pan, then bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and blend the soup with a stick blender until smooth. If you prefer a thinner soup, add the remaining stock. Return the soup to a gentle simmer, then season well and stir in the lime juice. Ladle into bowls, and serve topped with a swirl of the soya cream and a sprinkle of the relish.

CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and rosemary and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. If the onions begin browning too quickly, turn the heat to low.
• Add the maple syrup and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have darkened in color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the cider and cook, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan, until the liquid is reduced by about half.
• Add the broth, pumpkin purée, curry powder, nutmeg, cloves, salt and pepper, stir to combine, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook at a full simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching.
• Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender or food processor and return to the pot (or use an immersion blender). Bring back to a simmer over medium heat, then turn off the heat and stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add more broth if the soup is too thick.
• To make the optional fried sage topping, melt the butter in a small or medium skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the sage leaves and fry until just crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or a fork, transfer the sage leaves to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the butter left behind in the pan.
• To serve, spoon the soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with 2 fried sage leaves and a drizzle of the reserved butter (if using), or a swirl of cream and pinch of nutmeg. Serve hot.