Harvest Pear and Pumpkin Delight Soup
Embrace the flavors of fall with this sumptuous Harvest Pear and Pumpkin Delight Soup. This cozy recipe brings together the natural sweetness of ripe pears and sweet potatoes, enhanced by the heartiness of pumpkin and the savory depth of rich broths. Perfect for chilly autumn evenings, this improvisational dish is not only a great way to use up perishable ingredients from your pantry but also a heartwarming meal that you and your loved ones will enjoy. Serve it topped with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt for an extra touch of indulgence and delight your taste buds with every spoonful! I’d love to hear your thoughts on my creative twist to this seasonal favorite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (melted)
white onion
1 large (diced)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
pears
4 medium (peeled and diced)
sweet potato
1 (peeled and diced)
chicken broth
4 cups (low sodium recommended)
beef stock
2 cups (low sodium recommended)
cooking sherry
1/3 cup (optional for depth of flavor)
half-and-half
1/4 cup (add at the end of cooking)
pumpkin
1 (29-ounce) can (pureed)
cracked pepper
1/2 tablespoon (or to taste)
garlic salt
1 tablespoon (or to taste)
sour cream or Greek yogurt
for garnish (as desired)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
2
Add the diced white onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Avoid browning.
3
Incorporate the diced pears and sweet potato to the pot. Cover, cooking for an additional 5-8 minutes until the sweet potato is tender.
4
Pour in the chicken broth and beef stock, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
5
In the final 10 minutes of cooking, stir in the cooking sherry and half-and-half to enhance the flavors.
6
Remove the pot from heat, and gently fold in the canned pumpkin until fully combined and warmed through.
7
Allow the soup to cool for 15-30 minutes before pureeing either in a food processor or blender until smooth.
8
Return the pureed soup to the pot over low heat. Adjust seasoning with additional pepper or garlic salt if desired.
9
Serve hot, garnishing with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. This soup can also be stored in containers for freezing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harvest Pear and Pumpkin Delight Soup?
It is a heartwarming autumn soup that combines the natural sweetness of ripe pears and sweet potatoes with the heartiness of canned pumpkin and savory broths.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include butter, white onion, garlic, pears, sweet potato, chicken broth, beef stock, cooking sherry, half-and-half, and canned pumpkin.
How should the white onion be prepared?
The recipe calls for one large white onion to be diced and sautéed until translucent.
Do I need to peel the pears and sweet potato?
Yes, both the four medium pears and the single sweet potato should be peeled and diced before cooking.
How long should I sauté the onions and garlic?
You should sauté the diced onion and minced garlic for about 5 minutes until they are fragrant and translucent.
Should I brown the onions?
No, the instructions specify to avoid browning the onions during the sautéing process.
How long do the pears and sweet potato cook before adding broth?
After adding them to the pot, cover and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until the sweet potato pieces are tender.
What types of broth are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 4 cups of chicken broth and 2 cups of beef stock, with low sodium versions recommended.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once the broths are added and the mixture is brought to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
When do I add the cooking sherry?
The cooking sherry should be stirred in during the final 10 minutes of the simmering process.
Is the cooking sherry mandatory?
The sherry is optional but recommended to provide an extra depth of flavor to the dish.
When is the half-and-half incorporated?
Like the sherry, the half-and-half is added during the final 10 minutes of the cooking time.
What size of canned pumpkin is required?
The recipe requires one 29-ounce can of pureed pumpkin.
How is the pumpkin added to the soup?
Remove the pot from the heat and gently fold in the canned pumpkin until it is fully combined and warmed through.
How long should the soup cool before it is pureed?
Allow the soup to cool for 15 to 30 minutes before moving it to a food processor or blender.
What equipment can I use to puree the soup?
You can use either a food processor or a blender to achieve a smooth consistency.
What do I do after pureeing the soup?
Return the pureed mixture to the pot over low heat to warm it back up before serving.
What seasonings are used for the final adjustment?
You can adjust the flavor with cracked pepper and garlic salt to your personal taste.
What are the suggested garnishes for this soup?
The soup is best served with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top.
Can this soup be frozen for later use?
Yes, this soup can be stored in airtight containers and placed in the freezer for long-term storage.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
What is the amount of butter used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 1.5 tablespoons of melted butter.
How much cracked pepper is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1/2 tablespoon of cracked pepper, or more to taste.
How much garlic salt should I add?
The recipe recommends starting with 1 tablespoon of garlic salt.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 total ingredients listed in the recipe.
Is this soup considered a vegetarian dish?
While tagged as vegetarian in some contexts, note that it contains chicken broth and beef stock; use vegetable broth substitutes to make it strictly vegetarian.
What makes this soup a good pantry-clearing meal?
It uses common staples like canned pumpkin, onions, garlic, and broth along with perishable fall produce like pears and sweet potatoes.
What is the texture of the finished soup?
The soup has a smooth, creamy texture once pureed in a blender or food processor.
What is the recommended serving temperature?
The soup should be served hot after being reheated on low heat following the pureeing step.
Is this recipe suitable for autumn gatherings?
Yes, its flavors of pear and pumpkin make it a perfect heartwarming meal for chilly autumn evenings.