Spiced Pumpkin Soup

Serves: 6-8 | Prep & Cook time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5kgs pumpkin, cut into wedges (you can leave the skin on if you like; it softens as it roasts)
• 3 Tbsp grape seed oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 8 garlic cloves, diced
• 2 tsp grape seed oil
• 1L stock (I just used vegetable stock cubes – 2 cubes per litre)
• 1 x 400ml can of coconut milk
• 1 Tbsp grated ginger
• 1 very ripe, sweet pear, cored and cut into cubes
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• A dollop of Greek yoghurt and a handful of grated parmesan cheese or a smoky cheddar (to serve)

METHOD

1. Toss the wedges of pumpkin in the 3 Tbsp grape seed oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Place on an oven tray and bake at 200˚C for 50-60 minutes, or until the pumpkin is very soft and has begun to brown and caramelise.
2. Fry the garlic in the 2 tsp grape seed oil until it has just started to brown. Pour in the vegetable stock and coconut milk. Add the roast pumpkin, ginger, pear, turmeric, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt and smoked paprika. 
3. Allow to cook for another 5-10 minutes, then blitz everything with a handheld blender until the soup is nice and smooth. Taste and add extra salt and pepper if you like.
4. Everyone has their own preferences for soup-thickness, so if the soup seems a little runny at this point, you can let it cook down a bit further until it reaches a consistency you like. If it’s too thick for your liking, add a little more coconut milk or a splash of vegetable stock to thin it out without losing flavour.
5. Serve piping hot, with a dollop of Greek yoghurt, some grated cheese, maybe a slice of crusty buttered bread, and a sprinkling of chilli flakes! For a vegan alternative, simply omit the cheese and the Greek yoghurt (you could also add coconut yoghurt instead).

This recipe is by Perth Author, Cook and Gardener Casey Joy Lister. Visit her website www.caseyjoylister.com to receive more recipes, purchase her books and get access to events.

You can find her on instagram @pinch_dash_glug