By: Kerry Garrett
Staff-Writer
With October now upon us, it is of utmost importance that we receive our daily intake of autumnal foods in order to maintain healthy levels of Halloween spirit. If you don’t know what to make this season or have already tried all other recipes, here are some personal recommendations.
For dinner: Pumpkin soup
Ingredients:
6 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
4 cups of pumpkin puree
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 ½ teaspoons salt
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon parsley
½ teaspoon of thyme
Step one: Boil the broth, pumpkin puree, onion, garlic, salt and thyme into a pot, and bring it to a boil. Simmer on low heat, uncovered, for half an hour.
Step two: Run it through a blender or food processor to even out the texture. Afterward, simmer for another half hour.
Step three: Add heavy cream into the mixture.
Step four: Garnish with parsley and serve.
(Optional: Add curry spices for an extra kick.)
For dessert: Pumpkin cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
⅔ cup of canned pumpkin
3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Step one: Mix melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract and pumpkin in a bowl until combined.
Step two: Mix together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and salt into a separate, larger bowl.
Step three: Add butter mixture into the flour mixture, and stir until combined.
Step four: Add chocolate chips.
Step five: Cover the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Step six: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, then line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step seven: Scoop the dough into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized portions, and then roll it into a ball. Place them about 1 ½ inches apart, and slightly flatten them with the palm of your hand.
Step eight: Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, and let them cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes. Transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
