Pumpkin Soup with PB

Makes 4 servings

2 medium baking potatoes, peeled & cut into 2″ pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 Tab butter
2 cups finely mashed pumpkin
2 Tab chunky peanut butter
2 cups low-salt vegie stock
1.5 cups skim milk
1/4 tsp grd cinnamon
1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
2 tsp lemon juice

1. Place the potatoes in a 2-quart (8 cup) saucepan; add cold water to cover. Over med-high heat, bring to boil then reduce heat to low. Cover & simmer 15-20 mins or until tender. Drain well.

2. Transfer potatoes to a blender. Add buttermilk and process until smooth.

3.  In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in potato mixture, pumpkin & pb; mix until smooth. Stir in the stock, then milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 mins. or until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.

Beetroot, walnut and quinoa salad with ricotta

Tasty. Try not to buy massive beetroot, they don’t taste that good.  Serves 4

Ingredients
8 x red or golden beetroots (golf-ball-sized), scrubbed clean
Olive oil
200g quinoa, cooked and drained
2 handfuls of walnuts, roughly chopped
A handful each of mint, parsley and dill, roughly chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
100g ricotta
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar, mixed with 1 tbsp olive oil

1.  Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the beetroot for 20–25 minutes until soft (you can easily insert a skewer). When cooked, remove from water and leave to cool. Then peel them by squashing them a bit with your hands — the skins should slip off. Cut into wedges and dress with salt, pepper and a little olive oil.

2. In another bowl combine quinoa, walnuts & herbs. Squeeze over the lemon, add a splash of oil and season to taste.

3. Spoon quinoa into a large serving bowl (or divide between plates) and top with the beetroots. Crumble over the ricotta and finish off with a drizzle of the pomegranate molasses and oil mixture. You can also add a sprinkle of sumac, if you have it.