RECIPES FOR LIFE
Seasonal delights to brighten up the darkening nights I
t may be slightly depressing to be thinking about Autumnal cooking but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. As we make the transition from summer to autumn there is still plenty of seasonal delights to embrace and getting busy in the kitchen rustling up some hearty comfort food can be a great distraction on days when the weather starts to turn. And so in recognition of Staffordshire’s biggest
gastronomic gathering, Stone Food and Drink Festival which takes place at the beginning of October we thought what better ingredient to use than the emblem of the festival, a pumpkin. This delicious, creamy pumpkin soup is the ideal dish to serve at any family gathering, great as a tasty and healthy snack or as part of a meal as a starter. Some warm crusty bread is the ideal accompaniment with this dish.
Creamy pumpkin soup with thyme
Ingredients:
1.5 litres of chicken stock 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt 400g fresh pumpkin, diced 1 onion, chopped 2 sprigs fresh thyme, stems removed 1 clove garlic, minced 5 whole black peppercorns 100ml double cream Chopped fresh parsley to garnish
Serves: 8 time: Preparation tes 10 minu e: Cooking tim 1 hour
Method:
1. Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic and peppercorns. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered. 2. Purée the soup in small batches using a food processor or blender. 3. Return to pot and bring to the boil again. 26 Leek Life September/October 2013
Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered. Stir in double cream. Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. For another tasty recipe perfect for an autumn day why not try this delicious recipe for a scrumptious maple and pecan apple crumble which takes this classic crumble recipe to new heights with a sprinkling of pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup.