Thai Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 1/2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
• 1 ripe tomato, diced
• 1 1/2 kg pumpkin, skin and seeds removed and diced into 1 cm, 1/2" cubes (weighed with skin and seeds)
• 4 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
• 1 cup coconut milk or coconut cream
• 1 tablespoon salt (approximately)
• 1/4 cup coconut cream (extra) or heavy cream (optional)
• 8 sprigs fresh coriander (cilantro) (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oil in a very large saucepan or stockpot.

2. 2

   Add onion and celery and cook, stirring, over a medium heat until soft, but not brown (about 10 minutes).

3. 3

   Add curry paste, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.

4. 4

   Add tomato and cook, stirring, for another couple of minutes.

5. 5

   Add pumpkin and mix well to combine.

6. 6

   Add stock.

7. 7

   Cover saucepan and bring soup to the boil.

8. 8

   Reduce heat to low, uncover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until pumpkin is very tender.

9. 9

   Remove saucepan from heat, and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

10. 10

    Using a hand blender, food processor or blender, puree soup (in batches if necessary).

11. 11

    Return soup to saucepan and taste.

12. 12

    Add salt, a teaspoon at a time, tasting after each addition.

13. 13

    (For my taste I found I needed to add about 1 dessertspoon salt, but you may want more or less.) Add coconut milk or cream, mix well and taste again.

14. 14

    Add more salt if necessary.

15. 15

    Reheat soup to serve.

16. 16

    If you wish, garnish each bowl of soup with a swirl of coconut cream or thick cream and a sprig of coriander.