Pumpkin Soup with Ginger Cream
Makes: 8 servings Ingredients: - 2 teaspoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (about 1teaspoon)
- 1 onion, diced ( about 1 ¼ cups)
- 1 celery stalk, diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
- 5 cups Chicken or Vegetable broth (pages 16,20) or water
- 3 cups diced pumpkin (fresh or frozen)
- 1 small sweet potato, peeled and sliced (about 1 cup)
- ¼ cinnamon stick
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg, or to taste
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup evaporated skim or whole milk
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream, chilled
Directions: - Heat the butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, celery, and half the ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and celery are softened, 8-10 minutes.
- Add the broth, pumpkin, sweet potato, cinnamon stick, and nutmeg. Bring to simmer and cook until the pumpkin is very tender, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and discard. Puree the soup until quite smooth. Strain through a fine sieve for an exceptionally smooth texture, optional.
- Return the soup to medium heat.
- Add the wine, milk, lime juice, and salt to taste. Stir to combine well and reheat just below a simmer.
- Whip the chilled heavy cream to medium peaks and fold in the remaining ginger.
- Serve the soup in heated bowls, garnished with a dollop of the ginger-flavored cream.
Notes: Look for plain pumpkin pieces in the frozen foods section of your market. Canned pumpkin will not work quite as well in this recipe, although it can be substituted if fresh or frozen pumpkin is unavailable. This soup may be garnished with a scattering of toasted pumpkin seeds. For an elegant presentation, add a tablespoon of diced, cooked lobster meat to each portion. Book of Soups: More than 100 Recipes for Perfect Soups 
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