Fresh Pumpkin and Ginger Soup

A fresh pumpkin soup with fresh ginger, coconut milk and spices.  Pairs well with a mixed green salad for a light meal!  

Fresh Pumpkin and Ginger Soup
Ingredients:
2 tbl.  grapeseed oil
2-3 lb Pie Pumpkin, seeds removed and chopped 
1 lg. onion, coarsely chopped
1 tbl. ginger, freshly grated
1 qt. chicken stock (or vegetable)
15oz. coconut milk
Red Chile Flakes
Microgreens (as garnish)
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (as garnish - recipe below)

Directions:
1.  Heat oil in a stockpot over medium high heat.  Add pumpkin, onions, and ginger and saute stirring occasionally until soft.  
2.  Add chicken stock, coconut milk, and chile flakes (to your taste).  Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes.  
3.  Puree soup in batches in a blender or food processor.  Pour into bowls, top with microgreens and toasted pumpkin seeds.  



Savory Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients:
1-1/2 tbl. grapeseed oil
2 c. raw pumpkin seeds
1 tsp. garlic powder
3 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2.  Toss all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and place into a baking dish.  Don't crowd the pumpkin seeds... make sure they lay flat in the baking dish without overlapped.
3.  Bake turning every 15 minutes until the pumpkin seeds are crispy and lightly browned.  Usually takes an hour or more.  

Think fresh... Pumpkin!

A fresh, local, seasonal diet is a great way to take advantage of fruits and vegetables when they are at their peak nutritional value and best flavor!   We've all got our favorite seasonal foods, so why not start with fresh ingredients.  You can substitute equal amounts of fresh cooked pumpkin for canned!  By using fresh pumpkin you retain more of the nutritional value than using canned pumpkin.  

It can be a little intimidating to cook with a fresh pumpkin, so here are some simple ways to prepare it.  Start by picking out a Pie Pumpkin the small (2-5lb) orange one in your local produce section. Pie Pumpkin's are sweeter than your traditional carving pumpkin.  

After you've roasted your pumpkin you can use the pumpkin as a side dish, in your favorite baked goods, soups, etc.  


How to Roast a Pumpkin
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Cut the top off of the pumpkin.  

2.  Slice pumpkin in half.  

3.  Scoop out with a metal spoon until smooth.  Reserve the pumpkin seeds in a small bowl to cook separately.    

4.  Place pumpkin in a large baking dish and fill pan with 1/4 inch water.  
5.   Roast pumpkin in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until the pumpkin is soft.  

 6.  Allow pumpkin to cool then scoop out the pumpkin and discard the skin.  Keep pumpkin puree refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to one week.  



Simple Mashed Pumpkin Side Dish:
    Simply heat your pumpkin puree, mash with a fork, and serve.  If you want to add a little more flavor season with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil, butter, or balsamic reduction, and top with toasted pumpkin seeds.    

Keri is an internationally Registered Yoga Teacher, Culinary Nutritionist, and Wellness Coach.  She owns and operates BAYA Wellness, LLC offering Yoga and Nutrition Services.  Keri teachers both privately and publicly around the Greenville area offering on-going classes and special events.  Her path as a nutritionist is all about making healthy living approachable... she teaches the components of healthy cooking, eating, and thinking while also offering specialized services like menu planning.  Healthy living is about the whole pictures of wellness... find your path to living well.

BAYA... Be As You Are!


Contact me for details: www.BAYAWellness.com 

BAYAWellness@gmail.com 

October Yoga Schedule

Public Classes:  

Sundays
All Levels Vinyasa 2-3:15 pm with Greenville Yoga $10
details at: Greenville Yoga Website

Tuesdays and Thursdays
Community Yoga 4:15-5:15 with the Westside Aquatic Center $7
details at: Greenville Rec Website

Private Classes:  

I travel for Yoga :-)  Daily around Greenville area I'm delivering private Yoga to individuals and groups of all sizes.  We typically meet for an hour around your schedule.   Private Yoga lessons are available by appointment.  Customized Yoga classes to fit you, your lifestyle, time, etc.  Visit my website or contact me for details.

www.BAYAWellness.com

BAYAWellness@gmail.com