Indonesian Pumpkin Curry

Pumpkin is a common vegetable here, so I’ve learned how to make a variety of things with it. Actually not much variety – mostly soups that are a lot like this. Most of the time I use a packaged Thai curry paste instead of making a spice paste myself, but this recipe includes directions for an Indonesian style of spice paste. Thai and Indonesian foods have some similar flavors and both ways of making the soup taste delicious.

Vegetarian Chili in a Pressure Cooker

I know I’ve said it before, but pressure cookers are awesome.  It blends the flavors together like a crock pot does, except a pressure cooker does it a lot faster.  This chili was delicious.  It really had that rich spicy taste that chili needs and it didn’t taste like a wimpy vegetarian version (some veggie chilies just taste like vegetable soup!)

Tomato Soup

We love this soup and probably eat it once a week. James says it smells like pizza. I used to make this soup with tomato juice, but the store ran out and hasn’t stocked it again! That’s okay though because this version has a nicer texture with the tomato chunks. Great with some wheat bread on the side.

Black-eyed Pea Soup

Yummy! We don’t get black-eyed peas much, but we found these at our Indian grocery store in Vientiane last time we were there. This was a great way to use them. It reminds me of the Hoppin’ John dish that my mom used to make for New Year’s Day except that hers had ham in it. Thanks to Susanina’s Vegetarian Kitchen where I got the idea for this soup.

Potato Soup

In Lao, potatoes are called “man falang” meaning “foreigner/french root”. I find that word funny because it’s surprisingly accurate. Foreigners here eat a lot more potatoes than Lao people do. Some celery or carrot would be a good addition, but I didn’t have any this time. The thyme in this soup adds a homey taste that I love.