Recipe of the Month

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Don't waste your pumpkins this Halloween. Make a delicious pumpkin Soup, packed with goodness of pumpkin, carrot and apple flavoured with whole spices and a dash of curry powder. Soups are the best comfort meal for this time of the year. Preparation: 15 minutes, Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 bowls

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped 1 medium sized pumpkin, peeled, deseeded and cubed 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 apple, peeled and cut into cubes 4 - 5 garlic cloves, chopped Salt and black pepper as per taste 2 tbsp olive oil 1 litre vegetable stock 1/4 tsp Curry Powder Whole Spices (to be removed after cooking) 1 bay leaf 1 star anise 2 - 3 inch cinnamon stick

Method

In a saucepan heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add whole spices and saute until aroma is released.

Add onion and garlic, saute until translucent but not brown. Now add carrot, saute for 4 - 5 minutes followed by pumpkin and apple. Season with salt and pepper, as per taste. Mix nicely.

Add curry powder and hot vegetable stock. Bring the soup to rapid boil once and then reduce the flame to low. Let it simmer over medium heat until liquid is reduced to half and vegetables are tender. Remove whole spices from the soup.

Puree the soup to smooth consistency in blender. While serving finish with tsp of cream, olive oil, sprinkle melon seeds and chili flakes on top. Serve hot with a little fresh cream stirred in and a sprinkle of chilli flakes if you like a bit more spice!