Friday, June 12, 2009

Whipping The Pumpkin Soup À La Carte

Eno Rose, my mother did a pretty decent job in training and coaching all her boys about the nuggets of the beautiful artistry of creating culinary delights.
Because of her, I do know a thing or two about good food Ghana-style.
Last Saturday I found myself reminiscing about the killer taste of nkatekwan with rice balls after participating in the big walk around Saxonwold Primary School.
The last time a ate that sumptuous combination was when I was in Ghana recently. The problem is nkatekwan a la South Africa is totally unlike what obtains in Ghana. Don't ask me why?
So instead, I decided to try something rather exotic: pumpkin soup.
I was in the mood for an adventure like you will never believe.
My wife, baffled by this unusual quest to turn the beautiful kitchen into something resembling a chemistry lab, decided to abandon ship leaving me alone unto my ridiculous cookery pursuit.
An hour or so later, unable to resist any longer the smell of the overwhelming magnificence emanating from the kitchen, she saunters into the kitchen, her face adorned with a curious smile depicting pleasant surprise. A moment to taste and indulge! The unplanned experiment turned the day into something more than expected: a beautiful date! Seeing how happy she was, I quickly realised how incredible an opportunity it was for both of us to explore and appreciate something new. To me, it was also an important lesson in the power of giving a helping hand at home.
As professionals, both of us spend our week days working hard. Evening meals, therefore, are mainly something quick and simple (mostly prepared by her) in order to prepare for the next day's work schedule.
So it was good to sit, eat, talk and enjoy each other's company unhurried at home, seduced by the goodness of the pumpkin soup.
And you know what?. I am so proud of myself!

5 comments:

Dalyni Dynamite said...

Nice one posekyere!! cooking something nice is always satisfying, sharing it with someone (special) is even better! and i personally think nothing beats relaxing in the comforts of your own home. :)

posekyere said...

Thanks Dalyni!
Yes. It was indeed special.
It begun as an ordinary adventure but it blossomed into something really lekker.
I think the secret is learning to relax and being appreciative of the ones God has placed in your life.

Adaeze said...

You ought to be proud of yourself indeed! That's so nice. Care to share recipe? I am so happy my hubby knows how to cook too..this weekend he made a nice pepper soup lol. But really though, I think all women love men who can cook. There is something so caring about it. I'm glad you both could have a nice moment of calm accompanied by the pumpkin soup. I so understand your point about quick simple meals in order to prepare for the next day. Those moments in between are priceless and what gives us energy...

posekyere said...

Thanks Adaeze.
We really had a wonderful time together. It was special.
I will get the recipe up here for you later on today.

posekyere said...

Now here goes the pumpkin soup recipe, Adaeze. Enjoy!

Ingredients needed for Pumpkin Soup recipe include:

1 tsp pepper(paprika)
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup of butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh cream
2 cups of reserved liquid** refer to instruction number 1 below
4 Knorr chicken soup cubes
4 peices of cut chicken( you may use more according to number of people to serve)
2 cup of chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop the pumpkin into cubes, place in a 4L soup bowl, and add enough salted water to just cover. Boil until tender, for about 15 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cubes and place in a mixing bowl for now. Carefully measure out 2 cups of the liquid and set aside.
2. Boil the peices of chicken. Add 1 knorr cube to content. Boil for 15 minutes.

3. Melt the butter in the 4L soup kettle, then gently fry the chopped onion and garlic until tender for approximately five minutes.

4. Add the reserved liquid, cooked pumpkin, paprika, knorr cubes, and rosemary to the bowl and bring to a boil, stirring continually. Once the soup begins to boil, turn down the heat to low.

5. Add the cooked chicken peices to the whole content and cook for another 15 minutes.