Tuesday, October 6, 2009

soothing pumpkin soup with swiss cheese paninis

I got this recipe off Studio5 (recipe submitted by one Laura Wolford) a couple years back. We LOVE it! It's a bit unusual, so we have to be careful who we invite over to share it, but we think it's pretty great. I altered it a bit this time around because I didn't have any cream on hand. Instead, I used 16ish oz. of evaporated milk and threw in a couple tablespoons of butter {can't be too healthy, right?}. It tasted great. We couldn't tell the difference. I think this substitution is ideal for making this even more convenient and easy, but here’s the cream version. Also, I reduced the sugar (by a third!) and couldn’t even tell- so we’ll do it that way now. And upped the garlic a bit. Because, garlic. 

We also grilled up a few swiss cheese paninis on wheat bread for the perfect fall-weather meal (also great open faced). Mmmm... autumn!


RECIPE: Soothing Pumpkin Soup

Serves: 4
Calories: 141

Ingredients:
3 c. chicken stock**
1 c. whipping cream
1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin puree {NOT pie filling}
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1-2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
dash nutmeg
fresh ground pepper and salt to taste
chopped fresh cilantro or parsley to garnish {not necessary}

**Note: You really want either stock or broth, but not bullion. It comes out way too salty with bullion- especially the Mexican kind. :(

Directions:
Bring chicken stock and cream to a boil. Whisk in remaining ingredients except garnish. Reduce to simmer and let cook 15 minutes. Season to taste. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish if desired.


RECIPE: Swiss Cheese Paninis

Ingredients:
bread slices
butter/margarine
swiss cheese, sliced

Directions:
Easy-peasy. For each panini, just butter two pieces of bread (one side of each) and throw sliced swiss between the two slices (cheese touching the non-buttered sides). Grill them up for a few minutes on each side (use a griddle, frying pan, George Foreman, panini-maker, whatever works), or until cheese is melty and bread is browned and crisp. Slice in half if desired and serve with soup.

Mmm... what a quick, easy, delicious meal. Enjoy!

1 comment:

  1. That meal sound sooo yummy! What great comfort food! If I can ever find whipped cream in the soy variety I will try this!

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