Friday 1 October 2010

PuMpKiN sOuP & cUpCaKeS fOr A sToRmY dAy

I don't know about you but chilly autumn days make me want to snuggle up indoors with hearty comfort food, especially as now is the perfect time for one of my favourite seasonal veg the pumpkin. So I spent a couple of hours in the kitchen yesterday whipping up some lovely warming pumpkin soup to eat with some homemade fresh honey bread for lunch today.

500g pumpkin, skinned and cubed
1 med onion
1 med potato
1tsp dried cumin
1 tsp dried coriander
150g spit red lentils
1.2l veg stock
2 tbsp sunflower oil

chop onions and fry in the oil until just soft, add the spices, chopped and skinned pumpkin, potato, lentils and veg stock. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer with the lid on for 3o mins. When cooked blend with a hand blender or put in a food processor, return to pan to reheat and season to taste. yummy!

I also felt that some baking was on the agenda for today so whipped up a batch of cupcakes with pale pink icing. A bit extravagant when they are not for any particular occasion but as it's the last day of my week off work I thought what the hell. I had all the ingredients in the cupboard, and felt like something sweet and naughty. Not that I'll be eating them all though!
I found out today that I've also won a giveaway in blogland. It's a giveaway from Gill at The Vintage Gardener. Her lovely bunny Archie picked my name out of the trug so a big thank you to Gill, can't wait to receive my goodies.

I've had Halloween on my mind in the past few days. I'm a bit of a Halloween-aholic and love decorating the house for the spooky season. Carving pumpkins is a bit of a speciality of mine and each year I like to try something more artistic than the year before. I'm on the lookout for some new pumpkin carving templates so if you know of any good ones please let me know. I'm having the girls over on the 30th Oct for a witches tea party, fancy dress is a must, although I haven't decided on my costume just get, but there are some wicked wigs on e-bay.
I hope everyone is tucked up in the dry today out of this stormy weather, please help yourselves to a cake, and have a lovely weekend.

TTFN

8 comments:

Thedarkerside73 said...

Yummy cupcakes and Soup! It really is a curl up at home day today. I have to say I really hankered after some tomato soup today. But only had some of the tin. But with some black pepper and a little coriander it gave it my own twist. Yum!

I love halloween and the girls dressing up and having fun. Although we dont do trick or treat. But we decorate the house and get out Nightmare before christmas or Corpse Bride! such a beautiful ending that.

Have a lovely weekend.


MBB x

clare said...

What yummy food you have been making..esp the cupcakes!
Hope you have a lovely weekend and the weather is better!!

Hugs Clare x

MamaBug said...

We all love our cuppy cakes in this house! Yours look lovely! And the soups and bread look delish!
Weather is finally crisping up and I am so happy! We love Halloween too! Will look through our pumpkin patterns for you as we have many...my husband is the master carver here!

Have a great weekend!

laoi gaul~williams said...

ohhh those cupcakes look wonderful :)
have an extra one for me!

Sheila said...

How yummy, all of it looks so nice!

Unknown said...

I love snuggling up all cosy by the fire with some homemade soup. I make pumpkin soup every year, and can't wait for this years! Susie xx

DEBBIE said...

THANKS FOR SHARING THE PUMPKIN SOUP RECIPE... I WAS LOOKING FOR ONE! AND NOW I FOUND IT!
THE CUPCAKES LOOK REALLY YUMMY TOO!

DEBBIE MOSS

The Vintage Kitten said...

Your soup and cupcakes look yummy. Two of my favourite things X