Our Weymouth store manager, Rob says… ‘I love the fact pumpkins are so readily available because my favourite dish is pumpkin and chilli soup, excellent for cooler nights. I think Autumn is perfect for pies and carbs of which the best for me would have to be pork, apple and stilton.’
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin, about 1.5-2kg (save the seeds – toast them in a dry pan to serve)
- 1tbsp garam masala
- 2tsp ground coriander
- 2tsp ground cumin
- ½-1tsp chilli flakes or powder, plus a pinch
- 3tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 900ml veg stock
- 100ml double cream or crème fraiche, plus extra to serve
Method
Step 1
Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut the pumpkin 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, until the pumpkin is very soft when pierced with a fork. Leave to cool on the tray for a few minutes.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
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.
Recipe Credit: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spiced-pumpkin-soup-2
