Pumpkin Leek Soup

Fall time always makes me think of soups, and I'm sharing my number one favorite!  It probably isn't one I would have tried on my own, even though it sounded interesting.  I first tried it when my sister made it for a family craft night a few years ago and I fell in love!  She got it from a small restaurant in Salt Lake and it is now a favorite of my family (other than my husband who can't eat dairy - he is really missing out!)  It is quite easy to make.  Serve with a crisp salad and crusty bread for a delicious meal.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Leek Soup

              4 Tbsp butter                                                       ¼ tsp white pepper

            2 lg leeks, white part only, cleaned                      2 c pumpkin purée

               and thinly sliced                                                4 c chicken broth

            2 tsp dried thyme                                                 2 Tbsp brown sugar

            ½ tsp nutmeg                                                       1-1/2 c half-and-half

            1 tsp salt

           

            Garnish: 

            dollops of sour cream                                   grated Monterey Jack or white Cheddar

            chopped fresh chive                                        cheese

In large saucepan, heat butter and sauté leeks for 8-10 minutes on low heat, stirring often.  Leeks should be soft and lightly golden.  Add thyme, nutmeg, salt, white pepper, pumpkin, chicken broth and brown sugar.  Stir, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Taste for seasoning.  Add half-and-half and simmer another 10 minutes.  Serve with sour cream, fresh chopped chives and/or grated cheese on top.  Serves 6-8.

Kentucky Peach Cobbler

Kentucky Peach Cobbler was one of the favorite desserts my mom made when we were growing up!  We had peach trees and I loved the fall when we got to enjoy peach cobbler and peach ice cream (look under desserts, Granny's Homemade Fruit Ice Cream for the peach variation...yummy!)  Even canning peaches was (kind of) enjoyable.  Lots of good times together.  I'm apologizing in advance for some of the pictures.  They didn't turn out really well - sorry.  I'll see if I can get some hints from my daughter-in-law who is a professional photographer and is coming to visit tomorrow.  Can't wait to see her, my son and my cute little granddaughter!   

Ok, so you probably know the quick way to peel peaches, but just in case you haven't tried this, put peaches in a pan of simmering water for about 15 seconds.  

Remove with slotted spoon or tongs.

Let cool a few seconds or put under cool water and rub peach with fingers and voila!  

The skin comes right off.

Slice the peaches and cover with the sugar.  Set aside.  

Bad picture, but you get the idea.  Put butter in a 9" pan (I doubled my recipe in a 9" x 13" pan because we love this!) and melt butter in the oven or in the microwave.

Combine the remaining ingredients to make the batter.  It will be thin.

Another bad picture...spoon the batter over the butter.  Do Not Stir!

Carefully add the peaches on top and again, Do Not Stir!

Bake about 1 hour until the top is light brown.  I like the edges best because they are nice and crispy.  Serve with ice cream if desired.  Mmmm...enjoy!

Kentucky Peach Cobbler

2 c fresh sliced peaches (or frozen)              2 tsp baking powder

1 c sugar                                                       ½ tsp salt

½ c butter (no substitute)                              1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 c flour                                                         sprinkle nutmeg

 ¾ c sugar                                                     3/4 c milk

Preheat oven to 375º F.  Slice peaches into bowl and cover with 1 c sugar; set aside.  In 9” square pan, melt butter and let cool.  Make a batter from remaining ingredients.  Batter will be thin.  Spoon carefully over melted butter.  Do not stir!  Gently add peaches.  Do not stir!  Bake about 1 hour at 375º  F. until top is light brown.  Can serve with vanilla or peach ice cream.  Blackberries, apples or cherries may be used instead of peaches.