Friday 24 October 2014

Crossing borders...The workhouse Presteigne, Pumpkin Soup weather and Yarn.




 

We're a pipsqueak (I know that's not the right word, but I like it) from the border between England and Wales.  All we have to do is drive a few miles and we're abroad...Twenty minutes, and we're in the Welsh town of Presteigne. We explore it on a grey November(whoops) October day...a lovely colourful little town. 

We find carpets, rugs, The workhouse and shetland yarn...Yay, at last I can make this coveted sweater.  


Creamy Pumpkin soup

Ingredients:
  • one medium sized butternut squash
  • one medium sized onion
  • a little ground turmeric root (optional). Other spices would work too like ground coriander and cumin and a little chilli for a more spicy North African flavoured soup 
  • a thumb sized piece of ginger
  • one clove of garlic
  • a can of coconut milk
  • a little olive oil 
  • sea salt and crushed black pepper
Method:
  1. Peel and slice the onion finely and caramelise in a little olive oil.
  2. Prepare the squash by peeling, de-seeding and chopping into small chunks. The smaller the pieces the quicker the soup will cook.
  3. When the onions are caramelised add the garlic clove after peeling and crushing or finely chopping. Cook for a couple of minutes being careful not to burn. Do the same with the peeled and grated ginger 
  4. Add the turmeric or any other spices if using...this adds a deep earthy taste, bright colour and is very good for you. Stir well.
  5. Add the pumpkin, mix well and sauté for a few minutes.
  6. Add the coconut milk and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and cook until the pumpkin is tender. 
  7. Blend with a hand blender for a smooth creamy soup.
  8. Adjust the seasoning and serve. 
This is a lovely comforting creamy autumnal soup. I hope that you have a toasty cosy autumn weekend.
debx


4 comments:

  1. Thanks for the soup recipe! I'll have to give it a try soon. And the pictures are, as always, lovely. (I absolutely adore those teacups with birds on them). I have always thought it would be lovely to live in a location where you could cross over easily to another country (I live in the Boston area of the US, so not exactly possible here!). Glad you are enjoying it--at least you have good places to escape to when the dust becomes overwhelming!
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome Erin. They are cute aren't they. We are very fortunate to have lots of lovely little towns with food markets or cool shops, independent cinemas, art/craft and best of all lots of book shops, oh and of course great countryside. We hadn't realised just how close we are to the border when we first moved. Although I've never been to the US, Boston is a state that I'm sure would appeal. I love films that show the amazing architecture and lovely old town houses. All that history too.
      Have a great week,
      debx

      Delete
  2. Thank you, again, for the lovely tour of the beautiful UK!!! How wonderful that you are a hop, skip, and jump from the country of Whales! The photos are gorgeous, and the soup sounds amazing! I can't wait to give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very welcome Emily. I know, we are so close to the border it's wonderful.
      debx

      Delete