Pumpkin & coconut cream soup

4 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
400gramsPumpkin; peeled cut into 2 cm cubes
1tablespoonLemon or lime juice
100gramsGreen (uncooked) prawns OR- dried shrimp
2mediumsOnions
¼teaspoonShrimp paste
2Fresh chilies; seeded OR... Roasted chili paste (opt.)
1tablespoonFinely chopped lemon grass
300millilitresWater
750millilitresCoconut milk (reserve thick cream)
1tablespoonFish sauce
1teaspoonSugar
½teaspoonPepper
80gramsFresh basil leaves (reserve some for garnish)

Directions

Sprinkle lemon or lime juice over pumpkin and leave to stand for 20 minutes. Shell and devein fresh prawns or wash dried shrimp.

In a food processor, blend together prawns, onions, shrimp paste, chillies, lemon grass and a little water until they form a smooth paste.

Mix together water and thin coconut milk in a large saucepan. Add the paste, fish sauce, sugar and pepper, whisking to combine thoroughly.

Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and add pumpkin. Simmer over low heat until pumpkin is tender, about 20 minutes. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Just before serving, stir in basil leaves and thick coconut cream.

Garnish with a few basil leaves.