Red Hot Pumpkin Soup

Since I had about 1/2 a can of pumpkin left after making the cookies in the last post, I decided that rather than wasting it I would whip up some pumpkin soup. I didn't want to lose the pumpkin flavor completely but I also don't like sweet soups so lo and behold, another Violette original! I wouldn't try this one unless you actually enjoy the flavor of pumpkin. :)

Red-Hot Pumpkin Soup


Ingredients
1 tsp. margarine
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 can of pure pumpkin (unsweetened)
1/2 can vegetable broth
1 tsp. red chili paste
2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. all-purpose seasoning
dash of cayenne pepper
1/2 cup water

Directions
Place margarine in a medium sized pot and let it melt.
Add the onions and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the veggie broth and stir.
Stir in the pumpkin.
Add the dry spices, as well as the curry paste and keep stirring.
Once the spices have been mixed in, add the water.
Let cook for an additional 5 minutes and serve,

Pumpkin Cookies!

It's been sort of a tradition for me to make these cookies every year for Thanksgiving. Since we are having a Turkey Day Pot-Luck lunch tomorrow at work, I decided to make them a bit early.

They're super delicious AND super non-diet friendly. :D


I can't believe the cookies photographed so well through saran wrap!! It looks like it's not even there! I obviously forgot to take a picture when they were fresh out and had already wrapped them for tomorrow. :)

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks) - I used "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter - Light" to make it a bit less unhealthy. :P
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 cups flour - I used Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat
lots of chocolate chips! - I use Nestle mini-chips, around 1/2 a bag

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter and sugar together.
Add the egg, vanilla, and pumpkin. Keep mixing.
Sift the dry ingredients together and mix into batter-pumpkin mixture.
Once combined, add chocolate chips and mix a little more.
Spoon onto greased baking sheet - I use parchment paper to cut down the grease.
Cook for 30 minutes, checking often.