Friday 4 April 2014

FOOD FRIDAY - AUTUMN SOUP


“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.” -  John Donne

Daylight savings time ends this weekend in Melbourne and we go back to Winter time. That is always indication that Autumn is here, as if the cooling temperatures, rain showers and yellowing leaves were not enough. As the temperatures are cooler, especially so in the evenings, what better to eat than a hot, hearty soup with some crusty bread, a glass of red wine and some tasty cheese?


Besides their clear health benefits, vegetable soups are the perfect dish for using what is in season. This time of year, warming soups filled with a variety of fresh autumn vegetables are just the thing. The foundation of onion and carrots is enhanced with chunks of butternut pumpkin, celery and the last of the beans in a broth infused with herbs and spices.


AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 carrots, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups 1 cm-cubed peeled butternut pumpkin
1 cup of chopped string beans
2 stalks of celery, diced
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch cayenne pepper; more to taste
Salt to taste
1.5 litres chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
4 sprigs fresh thyme

Method

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, beans and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the pumpkin, allspice, cayenne, and 1 tsp. salt stirring to combine. Add the broth, and thyme.
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Discard the thyme springs before serving. Season to taste with more salt and cayenne and garnish with parsley sprigs.

This post is part of the Food Friday meme,

and also part of the Food Trip Friday meme.

3 comments:

  1. ahhh yes,,, the tragic end of Daylight Saving and summer :(
    I made a big pot of soup last night for all the family, and everyone loved it. But it was just a little watery. How do you thicken the broth?

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  2. love vegetable soups! perfect any time of the day!

    thanks so much for sharing and linking over at Food Friday, Nick
    enjoy the rest of the week!

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