Pumpkin Soup with Chili Cran-Apple Relish Submitted by: Merribuck
1 tablespoon extra-virgin Olive oil, 1 turn of the pan 2 tablespoons butter 1 fresh bay leaf 2 ribs celery with greens, finely chopped (purchase celery already washed, trimmed and cut into sticks, this makes chopping fast work) 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped salt and pepper to taste 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning or 2 teaspoons ground thyme 2 teaspoons hot sauce, or to taste 6 cups chicken stock	1 (28-ounce) can cooked pumpkin puree 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Relish: 1 crisp apple, such as McIntosh or Granny Smith, finely chopped 1/4 red onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries, chopped 1 teaspoon chili powder 2 teaspoons honey 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Heat a medium soup pot over medium to medium high heat. Add the oil and melt the butter. Add bay, celery, and onion. Season the veggies with salt and pepper. Cook 6 or 7 minutes, until tender. Add flour, poultry seasoning and hot sauce, to taste, then cook flour a minute. Whisk in chicken stock and bring liquid to a bubble. Whisk in pumpkin in large spoonfuls to incorporate it into the broth. Simmer soup 10 minutes to thicken a bit then add in cream and nutmeg. Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve. While soup cooks, assemble the Relish. Combine apple, onion, lemon juice, cranberries, chili powder, honey and cinnamon. Adjust seasonings in soup and relish and serve soup in shallow bowls with a few spoonfuls of relish.

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