Spicy Pumpkin Leek Soup

This delicious, autumn soup is from my friend Jennifer Segal at Once Upon A Chef. Spicy Pumpkin Leek Soup is perfect for a night like tonight when you may be greeting lumberjacks and pineapples (yes, those are the costumes of my two children still in the trick-or-treating age bracket) at your door throughout the dinner hour. The flavor is earthy with a nice smoky undertone and a little spicy kick. The extra swirl of heavy cream at the end isn’t necessary but always good. Happy Halloween!

Spicy Pumpkin Leek Soup

Spicy Pumpkin Leek Soup

SpicyPumpkin Leek Soup
Serves 6
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Ingredients
  1. 4 Tbls unsalted butter
  2. 2.5 lbs leeks, white and light green parts only, washed well and thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
  3. 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  4. 1 (15-oz) can pumpkin purée
  5. 1 apple, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
  6. 6 c low sodium chicken broth
  7. 5 Tbls maple syrup
  8. 1-1/2 tsp salt
  9. 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  10. 1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, to taste
  11. 1-1/2 tsp fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
  12. 1-1/2 tsp fresh sage
  13. 1/4 c heavy cream, plus more for garnish
Instructions
  1. Melt the butter in medium soup pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the leeks and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
  3. Add the pumpkin, apple, broth, maple syrup, salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, thyme and sage.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes more.
  5. Add the heavy cream.
  6. Use a stick blender to purée the soup until completely smooth. (Alternatively, cool the soup slightly and use a blender to purée in batches. Be sure to remove the center knob on the blender and cover with a dishtowel to avoid splatters.)
  7. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a swirl of cream (see note below) and fresh thyme leaves, if desired.
Notes
  1. To add a swirl of cream that floats on top of the soup, whip a few tablespoons of cream with a whisk until ever so slightly thickened. Then use a teaspoon to drizzle and swirl the cream over the soup.
Adapted from Once Upon A Chef
Adapted from Once Upon A Chef
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