Pumpkin Soup with Chili Cran-Apple Relish is a recipe from Rachel Ray that was featured on the Food Network Thanksgiving special last year. No, I am not decorating for Christmas yet--the photo above was taken last December when I first made this dish. I absolutely loved this soup! Rachel's recipe is deceptively simple, but the real stunner is the savory, spicy and sweet relish that she uses as a garnish, and which elevates an otherwise unremarkable soup to a holiday favorite.
The base of the soup is a traditional blend of stock, pumpkin puree, cream, herbs and spices, and vegetables such as celery and onion. There is heat in the form of hot suace to taste. The garnish consists of a small dice of onion, tart green apples such as Granny Smith, and dried cranberries, tossed with cinnamon, chili and honey. The way this chutney style garnish played off the creamy, mellow richness of the pumpkin was spectacularly delicious and tastes like the entire autumn and winter holiday season in a bowl.
This is only one of a few great recipes from Rachel Ray that are in my keeper file. I hope you'll try it!
