Cream of pumpkin soup with cinnamon croutons

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1cupOnion; chopped
2tablespoonsButter; melted
2cansChicken broth; diluted
16ouncesCan mashed pumpkin; cooked
1teaspoonSalt
3tablespoonsButter; softened
1tablespoonBrown sugar
¼teaspoonGround cinnamon
teaspoonGround ginger
teaspoonPepper
1cupWhipping cream
¼teaspoonGround cinnamon
4Slices whole wheat bread

Directions

CINNAMON CROUTONS

Saute onion in butter in a med. saucepan until tender. Add 1 can chicken broth; stir well. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 min. Pour broth mixture into container of blender and process til smooth. Return mixture to saucepan. Add remaining can of broth, pumpkin, and next 4 ingredients; stir well. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Stir in cream, and cook until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Ladle into individual soup bowls. Top each serving with Cinnamon Croutons.

Yield: 6 cups FOR CINNAMON CROUTONS: Combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon; stir well. Spread butter mixture evenly over one side of bread slices. Place bread, buttered side up, on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400 for 8-10 min. or until bread is crisp and topping is bubbly. Cut each slice of bread into 8 small triangles or squares.

Yield: 32 croutons.