I really love a nice steamy bowl of pumpkin soup when it's cold outside - it's seasonal, warming and hearty, without being super fatty or carb-y. I usually make a very standard kind of pumpkin soup, and I was feeling a bit bored of that when I hauled up a nice pale-yellow "ghost" pumpkin from out cold room. Despite the fact that I've never really thought of pumpkin as a Thai food, it turned out extremely well with Thai flavours. It was creamy and warming and spicy.
Serves four to six
- 1.5 kilo pumpkin, halved and de-seeded
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 long red chillies, minced
- 1/4 cup Thai basil, minced
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 3 Tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- zest of 1 lime
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro (reserve out a teaspoon to mince for garnish)
- 3/4 cup coconut milk, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
- juice of 1 lime
Brush pumpkin halves with oil and bake at 350F for 45 minutes, or zap in the microwave until soft (about 12 minutes). Allow pumpkin to cool for a few minutes on the counter.
Heat oil in large saucepan and fry the onion, basil, red chillies and garlic. Scoop cooked flesh away from shell of pumpkin and add it to the saucepan. Stir in the stock, cilantro, fish sauce, soy sauce and lime zest.
Allow to simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes and then puree with an immersion blender. Stir through the lime juice and coconut milk.
Ladle into bowls and top with coconut milk and minced cilantro.
Serve immediately.
So glad you're back! Thanks for all the grand ideas.
Posted by: Lulu | December 07, 2007 at 09:02 PM
This sounds lovely, very warm and comforting.
Posted by: Katie | December 09, 2007 at 01:31 AM
I've never really liked pumpkin soup but the ingredients look like they might add up to something quite tasty! =D
Posted by: alldoneup | December 12, 2007 at 05:35 PM
Oh lovely! The presentation is wonderful and your soup looks so comforting. I have a general weakness for soups but yours looks quite above and beyond. Yum I will have to try it out. Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Katy at Pomelo Pleasures | February 03, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I like the style of your article! I was shocked that you think it!
Posted by: creative recreation | August 16, 2010 at 02:35 AM