Making Mary Berry’s delicious pumpkin soup is easy and just takes about 45 minutes to prepare. First, you’ll need to gather the ingredients:
-1 onion, peeled and chopped
-2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
-2 tsp ground cumin
-600g pumpkin, peeled, deseeded and cubed
-1.2 liters of vegetable stock
-200ml coconut milk
To begin, heat some oil in a large saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Sauté over a medium heat until softened. Add the cumin and stir together. Next add the cubed pumpkin and stir until cooked. Pour in the vegetable stock, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
Simmer for 25-30 minutes until the pumpkin is softened.
Carefully blend the soup in batches in a food processor until it is smooth. Pour it back into the pan and add the coconut milk. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Heat over a low heat for a few more minutes to heat through.
Serve the soup immediately with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives, some croutons or mixed seeds for a garnish. Enjoy!
What is pumpkin soup made of?
Pumpkin soup is a creamy and delicious soup, made from a combination of ingredients. It typically starts with a base of onion and garlic, which is sautéed in butter or oil to create a flavorful base.
Pumpkin puree is then added, along with a mix of vegetables such as carrots, celery, and potatoes. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice are often added for flavor, along with stock and cream.
The soup is then simmered until everything is cooked through and blended until smooth. This creamy and flavorful soup is a great way to make use of pumpkins.
What kind of pumpkin do you use for soup?
When it comes to using pumpkins for soup, the type of pumpkin you use will largely depend on the recipe you are using. Many pumpkin soups rely on canned pumpkin puree, which is a mix of different winter squash varieties blended together.
But if you wish to make your own pumpkin puree, you’ll want to choose a sweeter, more flavorful pumpkin such as a Sugar, Baby Boo, Baby Bear, or White Pumpkin. These varieties of pumpkins are traditionally used for baking and cooking, as they are packed with flavor and a creamy texture that works perfectly in soups and other savory dishes.
Keep in mind that larger pumpkins are generally not ideal for making soup or puree due to their tough outer rind and bland flavor; they are usually better suited for carving. Whichever pumpkin you choose, always peel away the rind and discard any seeds before blending into a puree.
How do you peel a butternut squash?
Peeling a butternut squash is a relatively easy process, but you’ll need the right tools and some patience to get it done safely. To begin, find a good, sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board. Then, using a spoon or a vegetable peeler, remove any hung bits of skin from the squash.
Cut the top off of your squash and slice it down the center. Cut the stem off of each half. Then, take your knife and carefully begin to peel the skin off in the same direction as the lines running across the squash.
You will want to cut away only the skin and leave as much of the fleshy part of the squash behind. Continue peeling the entire squash, removing the skin in thin strips. Be careful while peeling, as the skin can be slippery.
Once all of the skin is removed, you can cut the squash into cubes, slices, or whatever other shape you like. Enjoy!.
Is homemade pumpkin soup good for you?
Yes, homemade pumpkin soup can be a great addition to a healthy diet. Pumpkin is an extremely nutrient-dense food filled with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, and fiber.
It’s also low in calories, making it ideal for people trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. When prepared with low-fat ingredients such as a low-fat broth, veggies, spices, and seasonings, homemade pumpkin soup can be a nutritious and hearty meal.
Additionally, pumpkin is packed with antioxidants and beta-carotene, making it a great food to help protect against certain illnesses and promote healthy vision. While canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree may be more convenient, try to opt for fresh pumpkin when possible as it contains more nutrients.
Finally, you can tailor homemade pumpkin soup to make it more nutritious with the addition of other vegetables, legumes, proteins, and grains.
How long does pumpkin soup last in the fridge?
Pumpkin soup typically lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. To ensure safe storage, it is important to store the soup in a well-sealed container, refrigerate it as soon as possible after preparation, and consume it within 24 hours of preparation.
Additionally, be sure to check for any signs of spoilage before consuming the soup, such as an off-odor, change in texture or color, or the presence of mold. If any of these signs are present, the soup should be discarded immediately.
What’s the way to cook pumpkin?
You can roast it, bake it, mash it, or even cook it in a slow cooker or pressure cooker.
To roast pumpkin, cut it into cubes, season it lightly with salt and pepper, and toss it in a little olive oil – then bake it in the oven at 350 degree or until it’s tender and slightly browned.
To mash pumpkin, you can boil it on the stovetop until it’s soft, then mash it with a potato masher or blend it with an immersion blender if you prefer it smoother. Once your mashed pumpkin is done, you can add in a little butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
If you’re looking for a hands-off way to cook your pumpkin, you can also throw it in the slow cooker with some water and let it cook for several hours. When it’s nice and tender, you can mash it and season it with butter, salt, and pepper.
Lastly, you can also cook pumpkin in the pressure cooker, which cuts down significantly on the cooking time. All you need to do is cut the pumpkin into cubes, add some water, and set the pressure cooker to 5 minutes (or according to your recipe instructions).
When it’s done, you can mash it up or use it in whatever recipe you’re following.
No matter what method you choose to cook pumpkin, it’s sure to be a tasty and nutritious addition to your meals!
What can I do if my soup is too watery?
If your soup is too watery, there are a few solutions. The easiest option is to let your soup simmer on the stovetop. This will allow the liquid to reduce, leaving you with a thicker soup. You can also thicken the soup by incorporating a starch into the base of the soup.
You can add a starch such as potato flakes or cornstarch, which will absorb some of the excess liquid and thicken the broth. You can also mash cooked potatoes, beans, or lentils and add them to the soup to thicken it.
Alternatively, you can puree some cooked vegetables and add them to the soup for more thickness. Adding more vegetables to the soup can also help thicken the broth. Lastly, you can add a butter-flour roux to the soup.
This will thicken up the soup and richly flavor it.
Will soup thicken as it simmers?
Yes, soup will thicken as it simmers. The ingredients in a soup will thicken as the solids like vegetables and meat are cooked and blended together with the liquid. Starch contained in some ingredients or added as a thickening agent like flour or cornstarch also helps to thicken the soup as it simmers.
As the soup continues to simmer, the liquid evaporates and it becomes thicker. Simmering the soup for a longer period of time will yield a thicker, richer soup.
How can I thicken soup without flour or cornstarch?
Adding diced potatoes is a great way to thicken soup without flour or cornstarch. The starch from the potatoes will thicken the soup over time as the potatoes cook. You can also add other starchy vegetables such as carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, and winter squashes.
You can also thicken soup with a blender or immersion blender and puree some of the vegetables in the soup. This creates a creamy soup that is thick and satisfying. Be sure to monitor the soup as it cooks to make sure it doesn’t get too thick.
Adding some additional broth or water can help thin it back out. Finally, blending silken tofu and adding it to the soup can also help to thicken it without using flour or cornstarch.
Which soup is for digestion?
There are a variety of soups that can be beneficial for digestion. Bone broth is considered to be one of the best soups for digestion due to its high concentrations of easily digestible proteins and minerals.
Vegetable-based soups, such as miso, tomato, carrot and cabbage soups, can also help to support digestion as they contain helpful fiber and antioxidants that can promote gut health. In addition, soups are easy to digest, so they’re a good choice if you’re experiencing digestive issues.
Finally, spicy soups such as Indian korma, Thai tom yum, and Mexican pozole can help to promote the flow of digestive juices and stimulate the digestive system, though it’s important to be mindful of the spices used, as too much spice can cause irritation.
What soup is good for stomach ache?
Ginger, mint, and citrus soups are all good options for those with a stomach ache. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is known for helping to soothe an upset stomach, while mint, along with its pleasant flavor, helps to settle the stomach and reduce any nausea or vomiting.
Citrus can help to reduce an upset stomach, increase digestive juices, and help to soothe intestinal cramping. An easy-to-make soup that combines all three of these stomach-soothing ingredients is Citrus and Mint Soup.
The ingredients you need to make the soup a teaspoon of olive oil, one teaspoon of freshly minced ginger, two tablespoons of freshly chopped mint leaves, two tablespoons of freshly grated lemon zest, 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of honey, 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 red bell pepper (roughly chopped) and 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley.
Heat the olive oil on medium heat and then add the ginger and mint leaves, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add in the lemon zest, stir for about 30 seconds, then add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice and honey and continue stirring for about 2 minutes.
Once everything is combined, add in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in the bell pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the bell pepper is softened.
Remove from heat and stir in the parsley. Serve hot with a drizzle of lemon juice over top, if desired.
Is pumpkin soup easy to digest?
Yes, pumpkin soup is easy to digest! Pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food that is low in fat and high in digestive enzymes. It is a good source of dietary fiber which helps promote and improve digestion.
Additionally, pumpkin is high in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which aid in digestion. Making a pumpkin soup by adding a few flavorful ingredients and simmering it on a low heat makes it a light, soothing dish that is easy to digest.
Pumpkin soup may even be beneficial to those with digestive issues such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), as studies have found that pumpkin can help to reduce symptoms, like stomach aches and gas.
Is cooked pumpkin good for diarrhea?
Yes, cooked pumpkin can be beneficial for diarrhea as it is high in dietary fiber and is easy on the stomach. The insoluble fibers found in pumpkins help slow down digestive processes and reduce the amount of water present in the stool.
It is also a low-fat food, which can be gentle on the digestive system. Cooked pumpkin also has essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help strengthen the immune system and aid in recovery.
Adding cooked pumpkin to your diet is a good way to help treat symptoms of diarrhea. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before initiating any dietary change.
What’s the soup to eat when you’re sick?
When you are feeling under the weather, it can be tempting to reach for that can of soup from the pantry. However, it’s important to choose the right soup for the occasion, as different soups have various benefits.
Chicken noodle soup, for example, is an old standby for good reason: it contains amino acids and electrolytes that can help you feel more hydrated, and the steam might help break down mucus and phlegm in your throat, which can help clear congestion.
Vegetable soups are often easier to digest than other soups, making them ideal for a queasy stomach, and some may even contain probiotics, which can help support a healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive system.
Broth-based soups are generally better than creamy soups when it comes to soothing a sore throat, and ginger, garlic, and turmeric can all boost the immune system, so consider soup made with these ingredients instead.
Of course, if your stomach is too queasy or you find it difficult to swallow, there are always nutritional drinks to turn to if you’d rather not have the soup.
What food makes your stomach feel better?
Some of the most effective for upset stomachs are those that are easy to digest, such as bananas, applesauce, and rice. Bananas are a great source of fiber and have a calming effect on the stomach, while applesauce helps to coat the stomach lining and can help reduce acid reflux.
Rice is another great option for those with an upset stomach and provides quick energy. Other foods that can help to soothe a stomach include ginger, herbal tea, yogurt, and oats. Ginger has long been used as an effective remedy for nausea and morning sickness.
Herbal teas tend to have a calming effect and can help to ease stomach tension. Yogurt is full of probiotics which can help to repopulate the good bacteria in the stomach and help digestion. Oats are a great fiber option and help to move food through the digestive system.
Finally, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to help flush out your system if you are feeling sick.