Pumpkin Soup With Ancho and Apple Recipe (2024)

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Marcela Aguilera

I am mexican, then I make a little change with the chile ancho: put 4 chiles in a boiling water, rest them for 10 min. after put them in a blender, if you want a more spicy flavor, blend them with this water, if not, blend with clean water, use water enough, for getting a soft mashed, strain it.
Follow all the directions.
For serving put 1 tbsp in each plate en serve the soup.

Whit the remaining "salsa de chile anche", you can make chilaquiles or scrambled eggs. Enjoy!

Kristen

First, why waste a cup of pumpkin? Used two full cans and used 6 cups chicken broth instead of water. Lots of salt and pepper, plus some apple cider syrup for some pop.

Jessica

These are actually different things, though, and not simply translations into Spanish. Canela is a variety of cinnamon with soft bark (that is most often sold as "canela," not as Mexican cinnamon, so using the more generic name may confuse people looking to buy it). Crema is not cream, but rather a Mexican product that resembles a thinner sour cream; there is no English name for that product other than "crema," which is how it is labeled in American grocery stores.

Abby

I thought the soup had a sour, bland taste. I added a good deal of salt and honey to soften the taste without making it sweet. Chicken broth would have made it more flavorful.

Richard Will

Forewarned by the comments about blandness, I used three ancho chiles, chicken broth, and a 1/2 cup of fresh minced ginger. I also substituted a baked peeled sweet potato for the third cup of pumpkin and made it several hours in advance to let the flavors meld. It was tasty--a little bit of heat and lots of earthy richness.

joanie21

Actually, Mexican crema isn't cream. It's closer to sour cream or French creme fraiche. Thick yogurt may be an acceptable substitute if you like. I've found a recipe for making it, although I can't vouch for its authenticity.

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/homemade-crema-mexican-sour-cream.aspx

Trish-Denver

I roasted a cheese pumpkin and subbed for canned pumpkin. I used 1-1/2 tsp ground ancho chile instead of a whole dried ancho chile. I added 6 tablespoons of pinon nuts--3 T in the soup and 3 T for the garnish. And I subbed honey for the sugar. Heaven!

Bettina F.

If you use an immersion blender, you can blend the whole kit and kabooble at one time-- no shifts.

Carolyn

This is a soup that ripens over 24 hours. Yum.

joanie21

I found this dish to be really bland, despite the use of the ancho chile. I added another apple after pureeing the soup and let it get soft enough to puree again. I also added another dash of sugar, which wasn't noticeable in the recipe. A stock (even vegetable) has to be better than water, too. And I'd probably add cumin as well.

Craig W.

Enjoyed making this soup this past weekend. I used coconut oil instead of butter because I'm lactose intolerant and it was a subtle flavor booster.

Trish-Denver

Canned pumpkin is strained. Try using fresh pumpkin or just add an additional 1/2 cup or so of water.

Juliet Jones

Why does the NYTimes feel the need to use Spanish words when there are English equivalents? "Canela" is just the Spanish for cinnamon. So why not say Mexican cinnamon? (Personally I find cinnamon from Sri Lanka much more flavorful.) Same with "crema". It's Spanish for cream. (Wondering why the recipe didn't call for 1/2 teaspoon "azucar".)

Jen A

I enjoyed this! For us lazy, don't-get-to-the-store types, I used a pinch of red pepper flakes in place of the Ancho, and it worked beautifully.

KIrsten

I had only Vietnamese cinnamon in my cupboard, and it seemed a bit too strong for the delicTe pimpkin flavor. Also, I had ancho powder, not dried fruits. The combo of the ancho and cinnamon is intriguing. Fire-y spice
characters mellowed out overnight. Very tasty and warm!

Maureen

Love this recipe as is, or fully vegan, or not at all. I’ve made it so many times, and after the first go never the same way twice. Had some homemade applesauce, subbed for the apple. Feeling mostly savory tonight so added some chopped up ends of country ham with the onion, chicken broth to thin it up a bit, and a big handful of baby kale. Fabulous.

polish dill

I’m shocked the reviews are so mixed for this one, but I did adjust a bit based on feedback. I subbed a chipotle in adobo for the ancho and used chicken broth instead of water. I used a second apple and no sugar. My partner called it ‘one of my 5 best soups ever’.

Mary W.

I found it a little too bland. This could be in part due to the fact that I used a freshly roasted pumpkin, as opposed to canned pumpkin. However, if I make this again, I would definitely try substituting at least 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth for the 4 cups of water.Also, I added at least a teaspoon of ancho powder to the mixture, along with the black pepper, cinnamon, etc. Finally, have at least a cup of sour cream or Mexican crema on hand if you want a “soup for dinner” meal.

kevin

Make with a tiny bit of fresh ginger. More Pepitas. Chicken broth

Allie

BLAND. Adjusted to taste good with garlic powder, cumin, more cinnamon, more ancho chile powder, and lime juice, but would absolutely not make again.

Lauren C

Yummy and easy enough to cook but not sure I will be making this a second time.

Gourmandesse

We also found this bitter and unappealing. After reading the reviews, we added honey, broth and another apple. That helped but the recipe still didn’t win us over. We haven’t given up and will try some more additions to see if we can’t make it work.

Neva

I’m not sure why some found this bland and sour. I thought it had plenty of flavor however I did use fresh pumpkin. I made this with ancho chili powder (I’m in Australia so a whole chili is not readily available), increased the amount of cinnamon and used vegetable stock instead of water. Blitzed it with a hand held mixer and it turned out great. Crème freche and toasted pepitas on top really elevated the dish too.

Daria

I made some adjustments based on what I had on hand and flavors I like. I roasted the pumpkin in olive oil, harissa spice, and cinnamon. I added a shallot, some carrot, and celery and used leftover vegetable stock for the liquid. I opted for coriander, chipotle powder, ginger powder, and red chili flake. Blended everything in the Vitamix and served with toasted pepitas and a dollop of tzatziki. Delicious! The sweetness from the carrot and apple makes a big impact.

GZ

Listened to prior reviews before cooking - softened 4 anchos in hot water and then puréed and added. Used chicken stock - ended up needing about 5 cups plus the hot water from the anchos for appropriate consistency. Final results was a deep earthy, slightly Smokey flavor. Certainly not overpowering or spicy.

Nadia

This was so good! I would probably just use all of the pumpkin not to waste it, and I also added a little bit of honey. In lieu of the honey I could have probably just used a bigger or sweeter type of apple. I did a drizzle of pumpkin oil on top to serve.

Margot

I also chopped up a second apple and added that to the soup with the pepitas when I served it.

Margot

I used chicken broth to balance out the flavors and reduce the bitterness that pumpkin sometimes has.

Jennie

My family liked this soup a lot; I found it underwhelming, and I made it with homemade turkey stock. Unfortunately, I couldn't find ancho chile, so used a dried, deseeded chipotle, which may have significantly affected the flavor profile. But it was certainly pleasant. Just not all that I had hoped for. And easy enough.

Barry C.

Great soup. I have used the comments of fellow cooks to modify the recipe as follows: 1) used two cans of pumpkin, 2) soaked 4 Ancho chilis, seeded, torn in boiling water for 15 minutes, 3) used 4 cups of weak chicken broth (not to over power) and 3 cups of chili water; and 4) after blended add about 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar. At serving can add juice from half lemon. The recipe was great once the acid help focus the flavors.

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Pumpkin Soup With Ancho and Apple Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my pumpkin soup tasteless? ›

If you think the soup is bland, try adding salt to make all the flavors pop. Use All The Spices Listed. I know it might seem like a long list, but they are all delicious and important for giving the soup a warm and spicy quality: Thyme, Cumin, Ginger, Poultry Seasoning and Cinnamon.

What can I add to pumpkin soup to thicken it? ›

There are several ways to thicken pumpkin soup. The easiest method is to reduce the soup by cooking off some of the liquid. Alternatively, use a slurry of all-purpose flour or cornstarch and water, add a teaspoon or two of either thickener to a small bowl and stir in 2 to 3 teaspoons of the soup to create a slurry.

How to enhance pumpkin flavor? ›

Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors. To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar.

How to make pumpkin soup less sweet? ›

Add a few drops of good sherry vinegar on top of the soup to contrast against the sweetness of the pumpkin and the peppers.

Why is my pumpkin soup so watery? ›

Soft fleshed pumpkins can make the soup a little watery. They are a different beast… from your standard greengrocer pumpkin.” As lovely as pumpkin is, its natural sweetness needs a little back-up to really shine. Try sweating a chopped leek with, or instead of, onion at the start of cooking.

How do you get depth of flavor in soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How do you fix soup that has no flavor? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

Does evaporated milk help thicken soup? ›

Keep in mind that this evaporated milk will make your dish taste richer, but it won't actually thicken the soup. You can always use a bit of flour or cornstarch if you're missing that added texture. Otherwise, you'll find evaporated milk the best dairy addition for your classic slow cooker favorites.

Should I cook soup with the lid on or off? ›

In the event that your goal is to keep moisture in—like when your pot of soup, stew, or sauce is already at the right consistency, but you want to keep cooking the vegetables and melding the flavors—leave the lid on to keep any more liquid from evaporating.

What pairs well with pumpkin soup? ›

I love to pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich or a hearty autumn salad like one of these:
  • Kale Salad.
  • Farro Salad.
  • Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts.
  • Butternut Squash Salad.
  • Sweet Potato Salad.

What fruit goes with pumpkin? ›

Be sure to pick your favorites, start small with the recipe and see which fruit you want to go with your pumpkin recipe.
  • Orange.
  • Lime.
  • Blood orange.
  • Pears.
  • Apples.
  • Raisins.
  • Craisins.
  • Cranberry.
Jun 17, 2022

What brings out pumpkin flavour? ›

Pumpkin is notorious for pairing well with warm winter spices – as found in a variety of Moroccan-inspired cuisines. Try incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cumin and chilli with your pumpkin dishes for flavour-packed feasts.

Why is my pumpkin bland? ›

If picked too early your pumpkin will be bland, having never developed its natural sweetness. If you wait too long, frost could shorten its shelf life.

What thickens pumpkin soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

How do you take the bitterness out of pumpkin soup? ›

Sweetness can help balance bitterness, so consider adding ingredients like carrots, onions, or a small amount of sugar or honey. Acidic ingredients like tomatoes or a splash of vinegar can also help balance flavors.

Why does my pumpkin soup taste sour? ›

If the fresh pumpkin is overripe, it can start to ferment and develop a sour taste. Another factor to consider is the type of fresh pumpkin you're using. Some pumpkin varieties, such as butternut squash or Kent pumpkins, have a sweeter flavor than others.

What is the best thickener for soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

How long does homemade pumpkin soup last? ›

Pumpkin soup will keep in the fridge for 4 to 5 days, or can be frozen for 3 months – just thaw then reheat using your chosen method. If your soup is too thick, just loosen it with a touch of water when reheating.

Why does my pumpkin pie taste bland? ›

Pumpkin Pie Problem 1: No Pumpkin Taste

Look for pumpkins labeled "sugar pumpkin" or "baking pumpkin." The pumpkins typically used for jack-o'-lanterns are stringy, watery, and bland. If you can't find straight-up pumpkin, kabocha squash or even butternut squash can make a good substitute.

How to fix bland butternut squash soup? ›

Add cubed apples, herbs, curry powder, or any of your favorite spices. The sky's the limit! Nicole tops her butternut squash soup with fresh chives (green onions will also do the trick) and a dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream.

How do you get pumpkin flavor? ›

"Ironically, there's no actual pumpkin in pumpkin flavoring," says Anne Cundiff, a registered dietitian in Des Moines. "It's actually a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cloves." Pumpkin flavoring actually harkens back to the pilgrims, Cundiff says.

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