Thursday, October 15, 2009

How About A Pumpkin Soup Recipe...?


I know that some of you either have some pumpkins, or have access to a lot of fresh out of the garden pumpkins.

I thought you might enjoy this slightly different recipe using pumpkins and potatoes. It sounds like an ideal recipe for the cooler weather of Fall...for those of you that actually have a Fall, that is! With the weather here in the high 80s yet again...it's hard to remember that it is Autumn even here in Texas!

Anyway, I thought that you might enjoy this slightly spicy addition to your Fall menu...

Spicy Pumpkin and Potato Soup

This recipe, from Roxanne E. Chan of Albany, California, won third prize in The 2001 Old Farmer's Almanac Recipe Contest: "Best Soups and Chowders."

Yield: Makes 6 servings

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
  • 1 cup solid-pack canned pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup half-and-half or light cream, heated
  • 6 fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, potatoes, chili powder, and cumin and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in the broth and cook for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Process the soup in a blender, along with the chopped cilantro and jalapeno. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, half-and-half, and remaining tablespoon of oil. Ladle the potato soup into six bowls. Swirl 1/6 of the pumpkin mixture into each bowl, creating a marbling effect, and garnish with a cilantro sprig.


I hope that this soup makes the cool Fall days a lot more endurable! If nothing else, it should warm you up on the inside...ya know?

Now, let's get some fresh, hot coffee, my friend, and sit outside for a bit...that's also good for a cool Fall type day!

19 comments:

Kyddryn said...

Ooh, looks nice Mister Hermit, sir...

I happen to have some small pumpkins on hand...planing to turn them into puree, which I'll freeze for later use. I like to make pumpkin spice cake with cinnamon spice buttercream icing for the holidays. Have I mentioned the fifty-acre arse??

I like making my own pumpkin rather than using tinned, although I'll use whatever I have on hand. Maybe I'll try this soup if I have some puree left over. Meanwhile...I'll bring the cake if you'll make the coffee...

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

HermitJim said...

Hey K...
That cake sounds delicious to me...! The idea of using fresh other than canned is a winner, I think!

I'll be more than happy to trade the coffe making for the cake!!

Thanks for the visit this morning!

Felinae said...

Thank you, Uncle Hermit,

This one is a keeper for sure. :)

It's a pretty safe bet that you can't go wrong with potatoes, pumpkin and jalapeno all in one recipe. :D

Have a great day!

Hugs~n~Smiles
~Felinae~

HermitJim said...

Hey Felinae...
I'm thinking you're right about that!
Certainly sounds like it would work, doesn't it?

Hey, girl, thanks for the visit this morning!

Anonymous said...

I hadnt thought about pumpkin soup in a long time. you just made my mouth water.

My grandma used to make a great pumpkin soup. With rudabegas, potatoes, in a spicey pumkin broth. Yummy! thanks for the memories.

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One,
That sounds great and there was another one in my in box for chicken dumpling soup made in a crock pot. Let me know if you want that one. In the mean time I would love to sit and have some coffee.
Looks like it is going to be in the 90s today still better than over 100 I guess.

Unknown said...

Hey Bubbie,
Supposed to get to mid 50s here today, I think. Rainy also Plus I have the day off! I might just try this soup.
JoJo, I would like to have your recipe as would others, I'm sure.

HermitJim said...

Hey OGT...
Always glad to be of service, my friend. Funny how reading something can trigger a lot of memories we had almost forgotten, isn't it?

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey JoJo...
I'm always in the mood for chicken and dumplings! That used to be one of my favorite meals...along with beans and cornbread...

Thanks so much for coming by today, sweetie!


Hey Sis...
I'm beginning to think this cooler weather just is hiding from us here! It comes for a day or two, then leaves again!

Glad you have the day off! I appreciate you coming by today!

JoJo said...

mmmmm cornbread and beans I haven't had that in years.
OK here is the Chicken and dumplings. they didn't add salt or pepper so I guess its one of those things to add to taste:
4 skinless, boneless breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
2 ( 10 ounce)pkg refridge biscount dough, torn into pieces
Directions:
Place chicken, butter, soup, in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hrs on high. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is not longer raw in the center.
I have not tried this yet but I like the idea that low fat and fat free things can be used. And I don't think you would want to break up the biscuits until you are ready to add. Hope it works out as good as it sounds.
If not sorry. :)

Kyddryn said...

Oooh...it's chilly, damp, and grey here - the heat actually kicked on! Soup would be nice right now...maybe I'll heat some for lunch. Meanwhile, I have some Jiffy mix in the cupboard...

Ever make cranberry cornbread? Holy carp, that's good stuff!

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
Can't imagine going a week without beans and cornbread! Sliced onion and ice tea just about finish it off!

Thanks for the recipe, sweetie!


Hey K...
I've never had cranberry cornbread! Sounds like something I should try for sure!

Cold and clammy weather does seem to scream out for fresh soup...and
it's pretty healthy from what I have read! Besides, it just taste good!

Thanks for the visit and the ideas!

Catman said...

Get your canned pumpkin.

There's a shortage due to the poor crop last year.

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=11263074

And this year's crop doesn't look much better.

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

We don´t have a lot of pumpkins over here, but I´ll save the recepy till next year because I´m thinking of growing some myself.
Have a great day now!
Christer.

Felinae said...

Hi again Uncle Hermit :D

Just dropping off a quick Thank You to JoJo for posting that delicious sounding Chicken and Dumpling recipe for the crock pot.

Thank You, JoJo :D
Have a good day!

Uncle Hermit, you do the same now, see ya tomorrow. ;D

Hugs~n~Giggles
~Felinae~

Rae said...

This is perfect. I needed a pumpkin soup recipe. I tried one of my own and it turned out awful. This will definitely be much better.

HermitJim said...

Hey Catman...
Thanks for the heads up and the links...! Looks like it's going to be a bad Winter for a lot of things.

As always, my friend, I appreciate you dropping by!


Hey Christer...
Who knows? You might find that they turn into a good cash crop for you! You might be able to sell them right out of the garden!

Thanks for coming by today, my friend!


Hey Felinae...
I'm sure she is more than happy to pass on a good recipe...she's a pretty cool lady!


Hey Rae...
I hope that this one turns out good for you! I figured that if it won a first prize at Farmer's Almanac, it must be pretty good!

Glad you could come over today...thanks!

Marie said...

Wow, talk about a win-win--not only your recipe, but the one from JoJo! Thanks to you both--I will need to try the new pumpkin recipes if my pumpkins ever actually get ripe... :)

HermitJim said...

Hey Marie...
Glad you can use the recipes! JoJo is always full of some good information. It's fun to bring some good recipes to folks that find them useful...!

Thanks for dropping in today, my friend!

Sage said...

I'm going to try this recipe this weekend.. just may struggle to find canned pumpkin over here in the uk..