Pumpkin Plus Soup Food

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.

SPICY PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds with a spoon (see tip below). Cut into wedges or chunks (keep the skin on) and tip into a bowl. Put the garam masala, and 1 tsp each of the coriander and cumin into a small bowl and mix with 2 tbsp of the oil and season. Drizzle over the pumpkin and toss well to coat in the spiced oil. Transfer to a baking tray, spread out evenly and roast for 40-45 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until the pumpkin is very soft when pierced with a fork. Leave to cool on the tray for a few minutes.
• Heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion with a pinch of salt for 10 mins until soft. Add the ginger, garlic and remaining spices and chilli flakes, and fry for a few more minutes until fragrant. Pour in the stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
• When the pumpkin is cool enough to touch, use a spoon to scoop the soft flesh from the skins. Add the soft pumpkin to the stock pan, discarding the skins. Remove from the heat and blitz the soup with a hand blender until creamy and smooth. Season to taste, adding extra chilli or garam masala if you like. Put back over a low heat and stir in the cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then serve in bowls with a drizzle more cream and a pinch of chilli to serve. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds, if you like.

PUMPKIN SOUP WITH COCONUT MILK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Wrap sweet potato in aluminum foil; place on an oven-safe dish to catch drips.
• Bake in the preheated oven until soft, about 45 minutes.
• While the sweet potato is roasting, place pumpkin, carrots, and onions on a baking pan. Brush with olive oil; sprinkle with salt, allspice, and white pepper.
• Bake in the preheated oven until soft, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Peel the sweet potato and squash when cool enough to handle. Transfer to a large saucepan; add carrots, onions, nutmeg, cumin, coriander, ginger, salt, and pepper. Stir in chicken stock and coconut milk. Bring soup to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until fragrant, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Puree soup using an immersion blender until smooth.

CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP WITH CANNED PUMPKIN PUREE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and increase heat to medium-high. Add flour, stirring constantly, and cook until it thickens, about 2 minutes. Slowly add chicken stock, stirring constantly. Add pumpkin puree and stir until well combined. Stir in chicken base, vegetable base, and pesto. Bring to a very low boil and let it bubble for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Puree soup on low speed with an immersion blender until creamy, about 30 seconds. Add heavy cream, salt and garlic powder; stir until thoroughly mixed. Ladle into soup bowls and top with pepper.