Barley Pumpkin Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups water
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin or 1 1/2 cups mashed cooked winter squash
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/3 cup quick-cooking barley
4 teaspoons instant vegetable bouillon granules or 4 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 - 1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds or 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Preparation

In a large saucepan combine water, pumpkin or winter squash, onion, barley, bouillon granules, garlic, curry powder, and thyme.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or till barley is tender- Cool slightly.
Place half of the pumpkin mixture in a food processor bowl or blender container.
Cover and process or blend till nearly smooth.
Pour into a bowl.
Repeat with remaining mixture.
Return all to saucepan.
Stir in milk- Cook and stir over low heat till heated through-- Do not boil.
To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds or sunflower nuts.