I’ve been looking for the right ‘manly’ recipe for my MEN’S WEEK here on Stylejuicer when I came across this gorgeous photo in my Tumblr archive of a proper bloke scooping out a pumpkin and making soup – and it’s not Jamie Oliver!
Pleased to avoid the manly burger clichés I found the perfect soup recipe to go with it on skinnytaste.com. It’s best to use sweet or sugar pumpkin for this but you could easily substitute with butternut squash. It’s super easy to make, healthy and filling and tastes just as nice when reheated. What’s a guy not to like?
I love scooping out pumpkins and can’t wait to feature some more orange giants in a couple of weeks for Stylejuicer’s SPOOKY WEEK. Stay tuned!
PUMPKIN AND SAGE SOUP
INGREDIENTS:
2 medium (6 lbs total) sugar pumpkins (you can substitute with butternut squash)
1 tbsp butter (olive oil for dairy-free)
3/4 cup shallots, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 cups (950ml) fat free, low sodium chicken broth (vegetarians can use vegetable stock)
1 tbsp fresh sage, plus more for garnish
salt and fresh pepper to taste
reduced fat sour cream for garnish, (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Using a heavy, sharp knife, cut the pumpkins in half. Scoop out seeds and place on a baking sheet; bake for 1 – 1-1/2 hours.
When the pumpkin is cooked and cool enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. This should make about 5 cups.
Add butter to a large pot or Dutch oven, on medium heat; add shallots and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Add pumpkin and broth to the pot, along with sage, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered for about 15 minutes.
Blend in a blender or immersion blender and blend the soup until smooth.
(Optional) Garnish with light sour cream and sage. Makes 8 1/2 cups (roughly 2 litres).
Enjoy and I hope you’re inspired!
More information | skinnytaste.com
Photography | I tried finding out who took these gorgeous shots but didn’t get anywhere. If you know who did please email me at annie [at] stylejuicer [dot] com and I’ll happily add the credit and link.