Pumpkin Pistachio Soup with Lemon Grass

This delicious soup gets its creaminess from the pumpkin's natural consistency, making it a warm and filling addition to any meal.

Ingredients

1 small, fresh red chili pepper

3 tablespoons sugar

1¼ cups whole, shelled pistachios

1½ pound piece seeded fresh pumpkin or butternut squash

2 shallots

2 stalks lemon grass (available in large supermarkets or Asian specialty stores)

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

3 cups vegetable stock

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

¹/₈ teaspoon ground cloves

6 tablespoons light sour cream or crème fraîche

Fresh cilantro

Seed and finely chop chili. Melt sugar in skillet until it is a light brown caramel color. Add chili and pistachios and stir to coat.
Turn mixture out of pan onto foil or wax paper and let cool.
Pare pumpkin or squash and cut into cubes. Peel and chop shallots. Cut lemon grass into 4" lengths.
Melt butter in large saucepan, add shallots and lemon grass, cover and cook 1 minute. Add cubed pumpkin or squash, stock, pepper and cloves. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender.
Discard lemon grass. Puree pumpkin mixture in food processor or electric blender. Return to saucepan. Whisk in sour cream, heat gently and then pour into wide soup bowls.
Top with cilantro and caramelized pistachios.

Based on 5 servings

Per serving: