Thai Carrot Pumpkin Coconut Soup Food

THAI PUMPKIN AND COCONUT CREAM SOUP

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the pumpkin, stock or water, ginger, and lemongrass. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the pumpkin is very tender, about 12 minutes. Add the scallions and cook briefly.
• Transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender or food processor and process until the soup is partially puréed. Pour in half of the coconut cream and process until smooth.
• Rinse the saucepan and pour the purée into it. Add half of the remaining coconut cream. Season with salt and pepper and heat through without allowing the soup to boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning and squeeze in lime or lemon juice.
• If using the kaffir lime leaves, fold them in half and, using a sharp knife, trim away the hard central rib. Cut the leaves into threadlike shreds. Ladle the soup into bowls, add the remaining coconut cream, forming a swirl on top of each bowl, and garnish with the lime leaf or zest.

THAI PUMPKIN GINGER SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°.
• Slice pumpkin in half and core.
• Discard membrane and seeds.
• Baste sides of the pumpkin with a cloth or paper towel in 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Roast both halves of pumpkin (cut side up) uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, checking frequently.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Peel away hard outer skin using a peeler and reserve flesh.
• Cut into 1-2 inch cubes.
• In a large stockpot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Add in garlic, onion, carrot and celery stirring frequently until tender.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Add vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
• Add pumpkin and ginger; simmer for one hour.
• Using a hand blender, purée soup until smooth.
• Using a whisk, add coconut milk a little at a time until soup has reached a medium thick consistency.
• Top with edible orchids or pansies.

ROASTED THAI PUMPKIN SOUP (LOW FAT)

Steps:

• Bake whole butternut pumpkin, without seeds but with skin on and cut into portions, in 180 deg C (350 deg F) oven until soft, about 20 minutes.
• Peel and seed the half Kent pumpkin and cut into small portions.
• Sauté onions, garlic and chilli in a little olive oil (or chicken stock, if you want less fat) in a large pan.
• Add chicken stock, the kent pumpkin, the spices, herbs and pepper & salt and simmer until soft - remove star anise.
• Scrape off roasted pumpkin from skin and add to other ingredients then blend all until smooth.
• Mix in skim evaporated milk and essence, more stock may be needed if soup is too thick, re-heat.

THAI CARROT SOUP

Steps:

• In a large soup pot, saute onion, celery and garlic in oil, over medium heat, stirring so as not to let the onions scorch.
• Add the carrots, ginger, red pepper flakes and vegetable broth, and simmer covered, for about 40 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring to mix well.
• Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until it is smooth and the cilantro leaves are in tiny little pieces. Do not let boil.
• Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

THAI COCONUT PUMPKIN SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, stir-fry onion in oil until golden brown.
• Add shrimp, chiles, and shrimp paste; fry for 1 minute.
• Add water and bring to a boil.
• Add pumpkin, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add coconut milk and salt; return to a boil and cook until pumpkin is tender.
• Serve garnished with lemon juice, basil leaves, and cilantro.