It’s finally here!  My favorite season of the year.  FALL!!  There is little I don’t love about the fall.  I love when the temperatures start to fall below 70 degrees.  I love the brisk winds that blow the leaves all around.  I love a pot of something hot, simmering on the stove, and I love fall baking, to add something sweet at the end of a meal.  It’s just wonderful to me!  I recently had lunch at a local restaurant and for the first time ever, I had a taste of Pumpkin Pear Soup.  Never before have I heard of this and really would never have thought to put the two together.  But let me tell you, it was magnificent!!!  So for anyone who enjoys fall soups, this is a must!  I loved it so much that I found a recipe to try at home and to my delight, it was almost as good as the one I had in the restaurant (ALMOST as good!).  So, for those of you whose mouths are now watering, I am including a picture AND the recipe below.  It’s really, really yummy and it’s another one of “My Favorite Things”.  Enjoy it, and HAPPY FALL!

Pumpkin Pear Soup
Prep Time: 10 mins Total Time: 30 mins Serves: 6

• 3 ripe pears, washed, peeled sliced thin
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup onion, chopped
• 2 cups cooked mashed pumpkin (canned can be used)
• 14 ounces chicken broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 dry white wine
• 1 cinnamon stick, 1/3 cup cream or 1/3 cup half and half
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Sauté the pear and onion in butter over medium heat.
2. Stir constantly until the onions are translucent.
3. You also want the pears tender.
4. Blend pear mixture and pumpkin in a food processor until smooth.
5. Transfer to a large saucepan where you will add the broth, water, wine, cinnamon, salt.
6. Bring to a boil.
7. Reduce to simmer for 20 minutes uncovered.
8. Remove cinnamon stick and stir in the cream.
9. Heat thoroughly, but do not boil.
10. Serve!