Pumpkin and chestnut soup recipe
- 500 g (17.6oz) Crown Prince pumpkin, peeled, deseeded and diced (reserve the seeds)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 100 ml (3.5fl oz) dry white wine
- 1 l (1.8pints) white vegetable stock
- 50 g (1.8oz) roasted chestnuts, peeled
- 1 pinch sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4 and line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
- Wash the pumpkin seeds and remove any membrane that is still clinging to them.
- Pat dry using kitchen paper, then spread the seeds out on the prepared baking tray.
- Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the olive oil, then toss gently to mix.
- Roast in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the seeds are lightly toasted, stirring halfway through the cooking time.
- Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan and once it is foaming, add the pumpkin flesh, cinnamon stick and salt and pepper.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from catching.
- Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium, then add the wine, bring to the boil and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the stock and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the pumpkin begins to soften and break up.
- Add half of the chestnuts, simmer for a further 10 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.
- Remove and discard the cinnamon stick.
- Carefully transfer the soup to a blender and puree until very smooth.
- Return to the pan and if the soup is a bit thick for your liking, stir in a little more stock.
- Reheat gently until hot, then taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
- While the soup is reheating, roughly chop the remaining chestnuts.
- Serve the hot soup in bowls, garnished with the chopped chestnuts and roasted pumpkin seeds.
- Serve with plenty of fresh crusty bread.
olive oil, butter, cinnamon, white wine, l, chestnuts, salt
Taken from www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/18018/pumpkin-and-chestnut-soup-recipe (may not work)