It’s been a really busy time around the Shaw household. John’s mother and father are moving from one aged care home to one less than 10 minutes from the house. Arcare in Maroochydore is a 5-star nursing home that opens on Monday morning. Joan and Rob will be 2 of the first three residents. We’ve been looking forward to helping them find the bits and pieces that make a room a home.
Yes, we haven’t done it yet. Rob had some problems with swelling in the boy bits and after scans and tests and prodding and poking it was decided that Rob and the dog would have a lot in common except Rob won’t have to wear a cone to keep from biting the stitches. He had surgery on Thursday night and at 5:30 tonight he was sitting in a chair eating his dinner. He still has a smile.
Back and forth to the hospital and up to Peregian Springs to get Joan so she doesn’t feel left out has left me exhausted. Plus, it’s winter and who doesn’t like soup in the winter? I love pumpkin or butternut soup. It’s one of my favorites. Pair it with some nice bread rolls and it’s a perfect meal for me.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 1 apple chopped
- 500 grams/ 1 lb butternut pumpkin/squash cut into 1½" chunks
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- salt to taste (if your stock is salty, you won't need any)
- ¼ cup cream
- ½ cup small croutons
- In a large saucepan on medium heat, add the oil and the onion. Cook for 4 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the carrot and apple and cook for a couple of minutes longer.
- Add the pumpkin, curry powder and stock and bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes until the pumpkin is very soft.
- Add the pepper and taste for seasoning.
- Process with a hand blender or in batches in a food processor or blender.
- Return to the heat and add the cream but do not boil.
- Serve with a drizzle of cream and a few croutons in the center of the bowl if you want it to look pretty. I took the photo before I remembered the croutons, sorry.
Oh pumpkin soup is sooo comforting! The fact that you added carrot and apple into this soup makes it more exciting and absolutely healthy, too. Thanks for sharing!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
The weather is a bit grey today. Could really use a spoonful (or 20) of this soup now!
Hi Maureen,
Sounds like a lot is happening at your neck of the woods – sending you much love. <3
Hope Rob recovers well and fully from his surgery – amazing that he's already sitting and eating and smiling. This apple and pumpkin soup looks delicious and would make anyone happy – yum! Oops – I think you accidentally omitted pumpkin in the ingredients list, although it's obvious that pumpkin is in the ingredients. Thanks for sharing this recipe – best wishes! 🙂
I am so sorry for all the oldies are going through but they sure are fortunate to have such loving and caring people like you and John. I’m sure having them only 10 minutes away will make world of difference and being 5 star, they’ll be well taken care of. Our nursing homes are government subsidized but they are still rather costly and some are better than others. My FIL is in a rather good one but we still hire extra care for him (he is no where near the shape that your FIL is even though they are the same age).
This soup sounds fabulous and I think it might even be delicious chilled…may have to give that a go — it’s the heat of the summer here with super high humidity, it’s been brutal.
Poor Rob! I hope he recovers well. I make a soup similar to this in my slow-cooker. Love the aroma! I think you omitted pumpkin/butternut squash from your ingredient list.
Hope Rob is feeling better!
Nothing like a big, hot, delicious bowl of soup for anything and everything that ails you.
I will keep Rob in my prayers.
I don’t think I have ever eaten Apple and Butternut Soup, looks delicious Maureen! Your rolls look great too, I love bread especially when it’s right from the oven!
I’m glad Rob did so well with his surgery. Your soup looks perfect for the chilly months…such a yummy combination with the apples and squash!
One thing I do love about Colorado is that it can get chilly enough in the evening or on some rainy days that soup can be summer fare too…which is good because I’m craving this now!
I’m glad they’re moving closer to you. Saving driving time is a plus as you can spend more time visiting … and cooking. 🙂 Rob sounds like a real trouper as surgery is never fun.
As to the soup, you had me at butternut. The apple, well, I’d be tempted to leave that out as sweet notes in soup isn’t particularly appealing. One of the reasons I’m not inclined to use pumpkin in it. And I love those buns with their shiny glaze.
That’s nice that they’ll be closer to you. Hope your father-in-law is recovering well. Delicious healthy soup with a swirl of indulgence. … imagining the croutons… yum!
I hope Rob makes a speedy recovery! It’s nice the olds are able to move closer to you — much more convenient for you. And because you’ll probably be able to see them more, nice for them too. We love soup and even make it during the summer! But not nearly as often as we’ll be doing in a few months. This looks like a winner — thanks.
You and John are such a trooper, and so is Rob. It must be a difficult time for the old guy, but I love his never say die attitude.
Love the soup. Just what the doc ordered.
Just off to the Farmers’ Market so will pick up some butternut, apples and carrots to make this warming soup. Hope things start to slow down for you soon Maureen and good luck with everything.
When we moved my mother into assisted living, she insisted on hanging the same pictures that had hung in her home for years and furnish the room with her own furniture no matter how ratty it had become. That’s what we did and she seems quite happy. What a tasty little soup. Love the curry in it! This should keep one warm on those cold winter days.
We haven’t dared tell Joan that her home has been sold and she’s not going back. She will explode. There’s nothing wrong with her and she’s being held against her will – according to her. She doesn’t accept the dementia/Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She plans to buy her way out. It’s quite sad. She can no longer carry on a conversation because she can’t find the words, poor thing.
This sounds like a delicious soup!
I hope everyone in your family has a nice weekend!
Your soup recipe sounds delicious!
I hope everyone in your Family has a nice weekend!
Well I’m relieved to hear Rob isn’t wearing a cone! Honestly! What a busy time. Moving them will be no doubt exhausting but I guess at least they will be close by so that will save you a lot of driving. I’m surprised you’ve had time to make this soup! It does look lovely and yes, perfect to enjoy with a lovely bread roll – with lots of butter! xx
Apple and butternut together, how have I not thought of that before?! This looks amazing, thanks for the great recipe!
Jeepers, I wondered why you’d been so quiet! All going well, Joan might like this nice new hotel… fingers crossed… it will be better to have both Joan and Rob closer to home… much less running around for you both. Hopefully Rob will recover quickly, how uncomfortable for him. Love your soup, Maureen, it’s kinda comforting!
No cone, but he might have to wear mittens to keep from scratching 🙂 My Pop had the same type of surgery though, but don’t worry, as it caused him no problems at all.
Your soup sounds delicious indeed, adding the apple was a great idea. Yummo!
Wow, you have been busy Maureen. It’s good to hear that Rob and Joan will be able to live together. Your soup sounds wonderful. I’d eat a bowl in a heartbeat even though it is hot and sunny here. I’m already missing soup 🙂 Hope things slow down for you a bit now.
No wonder you’re exhausted – that’s a lot to be going on in one household. Happy to read Rob is on the road to recovery and isn’t wearing a cone 🙂 This soup sounds like just the thing to come home to after a day on the road.
Oh Maureen, sounds like it’s been a difficult time. I hope this wonderful soup has brought some comfort to you and yours. x
This sounds like a great variation on pumpkin soup which we make a lot. Those rolls look divine too-will you please share the recipe for those? 🙂
They’re American bread rolls and they have sugar in them. You sure you want them? Aussies like no-sugar bread according to my husband. (he does eat them but complains the whole time)
hi maureen
the bread rolls look really delectable. rather than pumpkin i really like carrot and orange soup. if you are going to eat a bright coloured soup that is my go to.:)
So sorry for Joan’s condition … I really do hope someday someone will find a cure for it .. so sad. Your dish looks very delicious and the buns … I need the recipe.
Hi Maureen, your soup looks amazing, love the combination. Sounds like you have so much going on, the folks are so lucky to have you.
I like this combo right away! The soups looks fantastic!
ela h.
Apple in a soup… GENIUS!! When I can finally get my act together and make some soup, it’s gonna be this!!
x
Ouch! Glad Rob is on the mend, I’m sure that was no picnic. :/
You have more than a full plate with life right now, a simple soup is a comforting remedy for sure. Hope all goes well with their plans to get settled in their new place.
Apple and butternut? Mouthwatering but I can’t believe I have never tried it before! 😀
Delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Sorry to hear about your family/friends in hospital 🙁
Soup looks delicious though!
I love a good bowl of soup and a roll for a winter time meal, nothing is more comforting and warming in my opinion. This soup looks lovely I too love pumpkin or butternut squash in soups they give them such a wonderful colour and flavour.
What a brilliant idea to combine butternut squash and apple with cumin – its summer over here now, but as soon as temps drop, am so trying this!
Hope Joan and Rob are feeling at home soon – they are lucky to have a gem like you in their lives!
Glad that all went well for Rob and how nice that they will be close to you all now. This soup looks amazing!
This is one of my favorite soups and I so agree about pairing it with some good bread!
This soup looks perfect for comfort food during the fall. Yum!
I am such a soup freak & just yesterday I made pumpkin soup, but it would never have occurred to me to add apple. Bet it adds a zesty freshness. These photos area amazing, BTW.