Favourite Pumpkin & Broccoli Chowder

Directions

Cut the tops of the broccoli into small flowerets; julienne the stems into strips roughly ¼ x 1 inch.

In a 10-inch skillet, melt the butter or heat the oil over medium-low heat.

Add the onion and sauté slowly until almost limp but not brown, about 6 to 7 minutes.

Add the soy sauce and the tomato.

Cook, stirring often, until the tomato’s juice has evaporated, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the sauté to a soup pot.

Deglaze the sauté pan with a little of the stock, and add the pan contents, plus the remainder of the stock, to the soup pot.

Add the pumpkin or squash purée, the maple syrup or honey, salt, and a touch of freshly ground black pepper.

Heat, stirring often.

Separately, in a small pot with a tightly fitting lid, steam the broccoli flowerets and stems until tender-crisp (they should be a bright green), about 3 to 4 minutes.

Stir the steamed broccoli into the soup, then stir in the cream.

Let the soup cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot and the flavors have blended, 8 to 10 minutes.

Do not let the soup boil.

Serve hot.