Fall Flavor Inspiration from Executive Chef Amanda    

Fall Flavor Inspiration from Executive Chef Amanda    

As the leaves begin to turn and the crisp morning air returns, we know autumn is upon us. It also happens to be Herban Feast’s Executive Chef ’s favorite season. “It’s the season of comfort, which means we venture back into the world of delicious soups, stews and braised meats.” 

 Amanda looks forward to creating delicious and creative cuisine with all of the amazing autumnal ingredients for our clients and says, “it really is the fall flavors that get me inspired.”  

 Her enthusiasm for the season translates into some of our clients’ favorite recipes. Our Pumpkin and Coconut Soup with Serrano Chili Oil (recipe below) can be served as soup shooters, or as a starter at a dinner party in place of a salad. “This is a lovely dish that feels super filling, but is completely vegan!” Chef Amanda also loves the return of fresh cranberries that pair well with a Whole Mustard and Hazelnut Crusted Pork Loin, or in a dessert preparation like the Pumpkin Trifle. 

 As a child, Chef Amanda has fond memories of her mom cooking hearty soups and stews, and smelling bacon being cooked and sweet onions being slowly sautéed. She reminisces over the comfort of having “a warm bowl of chowder after spending three hours outside in the Northwest fall weather at golf practice.” 

 If you are planning an event this fall, let Chef Amanda and the Culinary Team at Herban Feast bring their seasonal inspiration to all your favorite fall foods. Contact marketfresh@herbanfeast.com for more information. 

 Herban Feast Fall Pumpkin Soup

Roasted Pumpkin and Coconut Soup 

Serves 6-8.  

Ingredients: 

2 sugar pumpkins 

¼ cup olive oil 

1 medium onion, diced into small pieces 

3 cloves of garlic, minced 

½ cup white wine 

1 quart vegetable stock 

2 cans coconut milk 

2-3 Tbsp yellow curry paste 

2 tsp seasoned rice wine vinegar 

Salt to taste 

 

Serrano Chili Oil 

2 serrano chili peppers 

½ cup olive oil 

1 tsp salt 

 

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil and spray with some pan spray. Wash the sugar pumpkins and cut in half removing the seeds. Season the pumpkin flesh with salt and place face down on the lined sheet pan. Roast in the oven for about 40 minutes. While the pumpkins are roasting, dice the onion into small pieces and mince the garlic. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add in the diced onion and cook for 5-8 minutes. Once the onions are translucent, add the minced garlic to the pot with the onions and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the white wine and stir, being sure to scrape any of the onion from the bottom of the pan.  

When the pumpkin is done (you should be able to stick a knife into the skin and have it go through easily), take the skin off of the outside of the pumpkin and add the pulp into the pot with the onions, garlic and wine. Then stir in add in the vegetable stock, yellow curry paste and a good sprinkle of salt. Simmer on medium low heat stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. 

To make the Serrano Chili Oil, add all the ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into bowl and set aside. (Store extra in the refrigerator.) 

At this point, take about half of the mixture from the stockpot and add into the blender with one can of the coconut milk. Blend until completely smooth and add in a fresh pot. Repeat this step again with the remaining mixture. When all the soup is pureed, add the rice wine vinegar and season with salt to taste. Top with Serrano Chili Oil and serve.