Creamy Pumpkin Puree Soup

COOKING WITH CELEBRATE - Creamy Pumpkin Puree Soup (VIDEO)

Sweater weather season calls for a comforting bowl a soup that warms the soul. This creamy pumpkin puree soup is not only hearty choice for fall, but it's also a healthy bariatric friendly meal. Bursting with the goodness of vitamin A and antioxidants, it's a nourishing treat for both your taste buds and your well-being. Even better, this velvety delight can be on your table in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect recipe for busy days when you crave a taste of the season.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion (chopped)
• 1 apple (peeled, seeded, chopped) 
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 bay leaf
• 29 ounces pure pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin spice seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• Garnish: toasted pepitas, toasted pumpkin seeds, toasted pine nuts, drizzle coconut milk, shredded coconut, ground pepper

Directions

1. Add olive oil to a large pot and heat over medium. Add the onion and apple and cook for about 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and bay leaf and cook for an additional minute.
2. Add in the pumpkin puree, ginger, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, pumpkin spice seasoning, cloves, and vegetable broth. Stir thoroughly and simmer on low for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
3. Using a blender, blend the ingredients in the pot until smooth. Stir in the coconut milk and maple syrup.
4. Serve the soup in individual bowls and garnish with your choice of toasted pepitas, toasted pumpkin seeds, toasted pine nuts, drizzle of coconut milk, shredded coconut, and/or ground pepper. 

Did you know?

Pumpkin Facts

Pumpkins get their orange color from beta-carotene, an antioxidant and precursor of Vitamin A (found in our vitamins here at Celebrate)

• Antioxidants help protect our bodies against damage from free-radicals, help boost our immune systems, and may lower our risks of developing heart disease and cancer. 
• Beta-carotene is a precursor to Vitamin A, meaning it converts to Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is required for normal vision, gene expression, reproduction, and immune function. It is also essential for normal growth, development, and maintenance of tissue. 

Ginger Facts

Ginger is a spicy, flavorful root that is commonly used to season foods and has been widely used in traditional medicine. 

• Studies show that consuming ginger on a daily basis can have many health benefits such as helping to relieve nausea, aiding in the reduction of muscle soreness after exercise, relieving some types of pain, and helping people with diabetes more effectively manage blood glucose levels.