Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
2 celery ribs, diced
1 onions, chopped well
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 lbs diced pumpkin or 1 (16 ounce) cans pumpkin
1 cup half-and-half
chopped green onions
1/2 loaf French bread, cut into 1/2 inch slices
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lb gruyere, cut into slices
Directions:
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium low heat.
Add celery and onion and saute until onion is golden, around 10 minutes.
Blend in the flour, salt, ginger and nutmeg.
Cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in chicken stock and pumpkin.
Simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool for 10 nminutes.
In batches blend puree to smooth.
Turn into a soup tureen and blend in the half and half.
Garnish with green onions and toast.
To make toast preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Arrange bread on oven rack and toast to golden brown on both sides.
Remove and brush with oil.
Arrange slices of Gruyere on each piece of bread and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 7 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Serve with OR on soup.
Servings: 4
Time preparation: 15 min.
Time total: 60 min.