Spiced Pumpkin Soup With Pear Purée And Stilton - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 1/2 tbsp butter
1 2/3 lb pumpkin flesh, chopped
1 None large onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp mild curry powder
2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
3 None fresh thyme sprigs, plus thyme leaves to garnish
2 None pears, peeled, deseeded and chopped
1 1/4 cup milk
2 oz Stilton or other blue cheese, crumbled

Preparation

Heat the butter in a saucepan, saute the pumpkin, onion and garlic for 8-10 mins, stirring. Add the curry powder and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the stock and thyme sprigs. Season then gently simmer, covered, for 25-30 mins.
Meanwhile, place the pear in a small saucepan with 2 tbsp water. Cover and gently cook for 10-12 mins until very soft. Transfer to a food processor and blend until smooth.
To serve, remove the thyme sprigs from the soup and blend until smooth using an immersion blender. Add the milk and season to taste. Divide the soup between 4 bowls and swirl in some pear puree and crumbled blue cheese. Garnish with pepper and thyme then serve.