Easy healthy entertaining recipes with pumpkin in December

It feels like we spent last month entirely in the kitchen – not that we complain. We took, mixed, dolloped and watered our way into the sky an entertaining vacation. We found new easy healthy entertaining recipes and unearthed old favorites to share with family and friends as we celebrated the season and the arrival of a new year.

It is not surprising that our most expensive dishes are those that have been simmered, gratinated, and laced with hot spices; after all, December is a month dedicated to all things hot, fuzzy, and deliciously fattening. This month, as the cold breeze forces us inside and under our covers, we will most likely envy similar comfort – well after we have set aside our Christmas decorations and evening dresses.

Pumpkin is a healthy, comforting food that is perfect for soups, sauces and accompaniments with sweet and savory flavors. It’s not just about making a lantern for a terrace or cooking a pie for the season’s festivities; use these delicious recipes to discover the full potential of the pumpkin and incorporate it into soup, smoothie, bread, latte or frozen dessert.

Easy healthy entertaining recipes with pumpkin

Pumpkin soup

ingredients

1 cup (240 mL) chicken broth¼ cup (60 mL) unsweetened coconut milk370 g (1 ½ cups) pumpkin60 g (½ cup) onions, sauteed1 ½ clove of garlic, peeled7.5 g (4 ½ teaspoon) brown sugar2.5 ml (½ teaspoon) paprika1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) cayenne pepper2.5 ml (½ teaspoon) ground nutmegSalt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1.Put all ingredients in the container in the order shown, then lock the lid.2.Start the unit and gradually increase the speed to Variable 10, then switch to high speed.3.Mix for 6-7 minutes or until thick steam escapes from the vented lid.

Pumpkin and Walnut Spread

Ingredients

60 ml (4 tablespoons) of olive oil1 cup (115 g) chopped onion⅔ cup (80 g) walnuts2 cloves of garlic, peeled2 tablespoons of fresh sage1.2 ml (1/4 teaspoon) crushed red pepper flakes2 cups (485 g) pumpkin80 ml (⅓ cup) of water2.5 ml (½ teaspoon) Chinese Five-Spice Powder3.75 ml (¾ teaspoon) of salt1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) ground black pepper½ cup (25 g) sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted and drained

Instructions

1.Fry the onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium skillet until tender.2.Add the walnuts, garlic, sage and chilli flakes and fry gently for another 5 minutes.3.Place the pumpkin, water, Chinese five-spice powder, salt, ground pepper, dried tomatoes and tender onion in the order indicated in the Vitamix container and lock the lid.4.Start the unit and gradually increase the speed to Variable 10, then switch to high speed.5.Mix for 45 seconds or until smooth, using pestle as needed.

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