Food: Pumpkin & Basmati Laksa

I love pumpkin soup. I have been making it for years and years. A long time ago, a friend made us an amazing Pumpkin Laksa and I have always remembered it. This is so close to the one she made … I will definitely be making this again!

This is a very hearty soup, almost stew like in its consistency. It is heart warming and filling and the aroma is heavenly. I hope you enjoy it as much as Mr Cool did!

I am glad that I cut up the pumpkin as I was going last night when I made Pumpkin Pasta with Basil & Chilli. It made the prep for today so simple!

Prep Time: 30mins

Cooking Time: 60 mins

Serves: 8

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil

800 grams of pumpkin, cut into 2cm cubes

3 onions, finely sliced

4 tbsp Gourmet Garden Thai Seasoning

2 tsp Gourmet Garden Chunky Garlic

4 cups of chicken stock

2 cups of water

3/4 cup  basmati rice

2 X 400ml cans of coconut milk

2 tsp fish sauce {or to your liking}

Salt and Pepper

Squeeze of lime

Gourmet Garden Coriander to serve

Method

1. In a stock pot, heat some olive oil and lightly fry the onion, do not allow any colour to form on the onions, we are not caramelising them… When they have cooked for about 2 minutes, add the Gourmet Garden Thai Seasoning and the Gourmet Garden Chunky Garlic Paste. Stir and cook until fragrant.

2. Add the pumpkin and coat with the spices. Add the chicken stock and boiling water. Bring to the boil with the lid on.

3. When it is boiling, add the rice and the coconut milk. Turn the heat down and simmer until the rice is cooked, which should take around 20 minutes.

4. Check that the rice is cooked, you want the pumpkin to be breaking up and melding with the coconut milk. Taste for sharpness, sweetness and sourness… you can add some more Gourmet Garden Thai Seasoning if the soup needs more zing-a-ling. Add the fish sauce at this point.

5. Serve in big soup bowls. Squeeze some lime and swirl some Gourmet Garden Coriander Paste. Enjoy with some quick and easy Basil and Cheese Pastry Swirls {recipe on the blog eventually!}.

Do you have any secret ingredients for your pumpkin soup?