Friday, October 12, 2012

Witches Brew and Pumpkin Soup


I've always been incredibly fond of witches (for the obvious reasons!) and a few years ago, when I was gifted the Wicked Witch of the West music box and the witchy toad hopped in to my home a coven of sorts began. When the purple ceramic witch with her fabulous black curls was given to me as an engagement gift, a seasonal Autumn tradition was born.


The two Elphies have important magical business to discuss.

When the first signs of pumpkins and black cats hit the shelves, I begin to look for the new witch who will join my wee coven this year. As I only allow myself to purchase a single one (I'll accept any and all as gifts!) I don't just settle for the first one I see but rather explore small shops in different towns as we adventure and travel, until the right one pops out at me.


Jim Shore's Elphaba practically jumped into my arms at a Hallmark store on our first Hallowe'en season in our first apartment. The little red dressed witch and her familiar were found at a teeny shop during an apple festival in North Carolina. The witch queen in her velvet finery, came to our home to throw a ball last year and decided she didn't want to leave.


I felt a lot like a high school yearbook photographer snapping this picture!

This year, three newcomers have joined the foray; all of them gifts from my mister for our anniversary! The wee witch reminiscent of a Charlie Brown tale, as well as Jim Shore's pint sized thorny lady and her cat in a hat!


There are a few other witches, zipping around the house on their brooms, but they were too camera shy or quick for me to take a proper photo of them! These ladies will get their cackle on until the end of November, when they'll retire to the place of pride in (or atop in the Witch Queen's case) my china hutch until they welcome a new sister (or two!) next season.

And for being such delightful guests, the coven has decided to share a recipe for pumpkin soup:

Ingredients:
* 2 - 3 sugar pumpkins
* 4 cups of vegetable stock
* 2 cups of milk
* 1 cup diced yellow onions
* Minced fresh garlic (to taste - if you're like me and like a lot of garlic, use half to a whole head!)
* Salt, Pepper and Coriander to taste.
* Butter

Directions:
* Cut the pumpkins in half, scoop out the seeds and pulp and place rind up in a baking dish with 1/4" of water. Place in a 350° oven for 30 - 40 minutes, until soft. Once cooked, scoop out the insides, discarding the rind.
* Puree the pumpkin using a hand or standing mixer and put aside. Add a wee bit of water if you need to.
* In a sauce pan, melt enough butter to saute your onions. (I personally don't use a lot of butter and use unsalted). Add in minced garlic and saute until fragrant and soft. Add spices.
* Add in pumpkin puree and broth, stirring until smooth and well blended. Bring to a boil while stirring, then allow to simmer about 10 minutes stirring occasionally to keep it smooth.
* Turn the heat to medium low and begin to slowly add your milk while stirring. If you add it too quickly, it will pool up and not blend easily! Add more spices, allow to simmer 5 - 10 minutes until everything is well incorporated and serve.

note You can adjust this recipe to be on the savory, garlicky side by adding extra garlic and a pinch of cayenne pepper OR you can leave the garlic, salt/pepper/coriander out and make it a sweeter, pie like soup by adding nutmeg, cinnamon and 1/2 cup of brown sugar.

***
If you're visiting from The Bewitching Home blog party at The Witch of Howling Creek, thank you for stopping by! To visit our hostess, TenaƩ and the other partiers, please click the image below:




21 comments:

  1. You know in all my years on this orb....I have never prepared or eaten Pumpkin soup.....I shall fix that after Sunday's trip to get some punkinators.....thank Danni. Oma Linda
    psssssst..love the collection of our sistas

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  2. Love the coven, made me smile a lot, and kind of want to start a new collection. :) The soup sounds amazing. I am going to have to try it out.

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  3. Oh Danni, I love your witch collection. I"m quite envious and I think my fave. is the little red dressed one with her familiar. I have a few witch's but my collection isn't varied as yours. I do have a lot of black kitty stuff though. And I love pumpkin soup. I haven't thought of making it in ages. Thanks for the great recipes and fly over when you get a chance.

    The Year of the Cats

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  4. I LOVE your coven collection! I too am fond of witches! :) I also design many digital art - witch arts, which I then sell as prints, greetingcards, and cute collectible gifts, some know me as the witch artist.. :) I have a cute little coven collection of statues and dolls of my own.. I added 2 new ones from Salem this year, Love them!

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  5. OMGoddess, Danni, I love your Coven! What beautiful Witches! I will begin my own collection this year when the one I'm making decides she is finished. Your collection has inspired me to finish her.
    Oh, and the soup, dear me, the soup...I'm in ecstasy just reading the recipe.

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  6. Love your little witch collection... I'm always looking for new 'witchy' halloweeny gear. Its become a thing between my mom and I each year! Yours are great!

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  7. What a great little coven collection :)

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  8. Lovely coven of witches and the soup recipe looks yummy!

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  9. Oh, I just LOVE pumpkin soup! And butternut squash soup. And any squash soup, really.

    The witches are divine. And how sweet of your hubby to gift you with three this year!

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  10. This sounds fabulous! I needed a good soup to make, I've got chicken stock that needs to be used. I am so making this tonight. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  11. I love your witch coven! Each one has such a lovely story behind it, a memory to hold and cherish. Your soup sounds luscious sweetie and I must give it a try this season. Wishing you a blessed Bewitching Home. Warmest hugs, Mina

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  12. I love your collection of witches! In my home I have way to few I fear :)

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  13. love love love your witches!! i started my own coven last year....i haven't picked out my new witch for this year yet.....still interviewing!

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  14. I am in love with your little coven... and their recipe sounds just divine! I'll have to haul out the cauldron and give it a go...

    XOXO

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  15. Delightful! I love your collection and what a special way to celebrate your time of marriage!

    http://heartsdelights.blogspot.com

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  16. Your collection of witches is so enchanting, and the pumpkin soup recipe sounds great! Perfect for an autumn night!

    Angela
    http://www.whimsyways.blogspot.com

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  17. Love your sweet witches!! And pumpkin soup!! ;)

    Thank you so much for being a part of this extra magical season!!

    ♥ Vanessa

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  18. Congrats on your first 5K surprising friends, 4 years of wedded bliss to a great guy who gives foot rubs (KEEP HIM!), and ever growing collection of witches, soups, and love. :)

    Happy partying and all things fall!
    xoxxo Boo to you From Roo
    http://roostreehouse.typepad.com/

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  19. I had a great time at your very special party. I loved all the witches. How many do you have now? How original to collect witches...
    Halloween is my favorite holiday. Thank you for sharing your party.
    Please visit me:

    momentsinaneye.blogspot.com

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  20. LOVE all your witches, and that recipe sounds divine! Happy Halloween!
    Hugs,
    Anne
    www.alittlefurinthepaint.blogspot.com

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