Missouri Food and Drinks, Recipes

Recipe of the week: Pumpkin Basil Bisque

September 29, 2022

Fall is the perfect time to try pumpkin soup. The warm, earthy flavors of the pumpkin are enhanced by tomato and fresh basil. Pumpkin soup is a staple for many different cultures and is served with a variety of other ingredients. But pumpkin is the star.

Pumpkin Basil Bisque

Courtesy of Colleen Smith, owner, Tea Bar & Bites Café, Springfield Ingredients: 1 large yellow onion, diced 1⁄4 cup butter 1⁄2 pound fresh tomatoes, diced (or diced canned tomatoes) 1⁄2 pound carrots, fresh or canned, roughly chopped 1 can pumpkin 4 cups vegetable broth, divided 4 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped Pinch of sugar 1 cup half-and-half 1 cup milk Salt and pepper to taste Parmesan cheese Directions: In a soup pot, sauté onion in butter for 4 to 5 minutes. Add tomato and simmer gently for 5 to 6 minutes. In a food processor, purée carrots, pumpkin, and 2 cups of vegetable broth until smooth. Add pumpkin mixture to onion and tomato in a soup pot. Add basil and sugar. Fold in remaining vegetable broth, half-and-half, and milk. Heat slowly until hot. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with Parmesan and fresh basil leaves. Serves 6