It's Not Too Late for Pumpkin!

Recipe
Cream of Pumpkin Soup

I teach a cooking and literacy class for the kids at my center once a month...it's my favorite part of my job. Every month, we read a story, then make a recipe together that goes along with the story. Last month, we read a book called Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper (a very cute children's book - I linked to Amazon if anyone is interested in checking it out), then we made...pumpkin soup! Not too surprisingly, this soup was not a big hit with the kids - they like it better when we make muffins and pies. It was, however, a BIG hit with the teachers - I've had more requests for this recipe (I even had one teacher ask me to make her a batch to take home) than any other recipe I've ever made for the staff at the center. I've made it at home a couple times now myself, and it really is pretty darn good...hands down the best pumpkin soup I've ever had. I know pumpkin and its subsequent flavors tend to be more of a fall thing for many people, but if you're not sick to death of pumpkin yet, I highly suggest you give this recipe a go. It's quite simple to throw together (really, preschoolers can make it), it's creamy, it's filling, and on a chilly day, it will coat your throat with gingery, cinnamony goodness and make you warm from the inside out.

It's not too likely that I'll get another post up this week, with the holiday busyness upon me, so...Happy Holidays, everyone! I'm so grateful for everyone who stops by here. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season with good food, family, and friends. And while we're on the subject, I'd like to put in another plug for donating to your local food shelf as part of your holiday tradition. I know this holiday season finds many people in tight financial circumstances, but I figure if I have enough to spend on a Christmas meal for my own family, I can spare enough to help another family who might not have a holiday meal otherwise. As I've mentioned before, Second Harvest Heartland is a wonderful hunger relief organization that serves the Upper-Midwest area, and they need donations more than ever at this time of year. Have a great week, lovely readers!

Last year at this time...Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry and Creamy Feta and Chive Dip.