Spicy Thai Curry Pumpkin Noodle Soup Food

SPICY THAI CURRY PUMPKIN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water for half an hour.
• Heat oil in a large pot and add thai red curry paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes and add pumpkin puree, fish sauce and 2 1/2 cups broth or water.
• Slice the shiitake mushrooms and add them to the pot along with jaggery and salt. Bring everything to a boil, and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
• In the meanwhile, boil noodles according to package instructions till al dente (cooked but still firm when bitten), strain, wash with cold water and set aside. Washing with cold water stops the cooking process and helps avoid sticky, overcooked noodles.
• Whisk together 1/2 cup broth with 3/4 cup coconut milk and add it to the pot around the 8 minute mark. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Add noodles and basil to the pot and switch off the flame. Cover and let the soup sit for 5-7 minutes before ladling it into bowls.
• Serve hot topped with crushed roasted peanuts and thai basil.

SPICY CURRY PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 4-quart saucepan over mediium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring often until softened, about 4 minutes. Add spices and stir for a minute more.
• Add pumpkin and 5 cups of chicken broth; blend well. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Transfer soup, in batches, to a blender or food processor. Cover tightly and blend until smooth. Return soup to saucepan. (I use a hand blender instead to puree the soup right in the pot).
• With the soup on low heat, add brown sugar and mix. Slowly add milk while stirring to incorporate. Add cream. Adjust seasonings to taste. If a little too spicy, add more cream to cool it down. You might want to add a teaspoon of salt.
• Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds and/or sour cream (optional).