Coconut Pumpkin Soup with Sautéed Shrimp

This spicy coconut pumpkin soup is so delicious, warming and filling on a chilly night. The sriracha-flavored pepitas add just the right amount of "kick!" Easily substitute the pumpkin   with butternut squash  or sweet potatoes.

Coconut Pumpkin Soup with Sautéed Shrimp

Serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated

2 teaspoons curry powder

2 tablespoons Chef Belinda Moroccan Spice Blend

Kosher salt

Fresh ground black pepper

3 cups pumpkin puree

¼ cup brown sugar, packed

4 cups vegetable stock

1 14-ounce can coconut milk

18 jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined

Chef Belinda Seafood Spice Blend

Olive oil

Sriracha flavored pepitas (pumpkin seeds), garnish

Fresh chopped cilantro, garnish

In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and stir for 1 minute. Stir in curry, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and season with salt and pepper.

Stir in pumpkin puree and brown sugar; then add vegetable stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes. Using an immersion blender, puree mixture until smooth. (If using a stand blender, puree in batches.) Return to pot and bring to a simmer.  Add coconut milk and stir, until hot and thoroughly incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning.

In a medium bowl, season shrimp with spice blend and toss with olive oil. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, sauté shrimp for 2 minutes on each side. Ladle soup into bowls and top with 3 shrimp; garnish with pumpkin seeds and cilantro.