Apple Pumpkin Soup and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

So, tonight is recipe group and the theme is Pumpkin. This is what I decided to make.

Apple Pumpkin Soup
from Taste of Home

INGREDIENTS
2 cups finely chopped peeled tart apples

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

4 cups chicken broth

3 cups canned pumpkin

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger

1 cup unsweetened apple juice

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper


SERVINGS 12
CATEGORY
Low Fat
METHOD Chill
PREP 50 min.
COOK 10 min.
TOTAL 60 min.
DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan, saute apples and onion in butter for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually whisk in broth. Stir in the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Cool slightly.
In a blender, cover and process soup in batches until smooth. Pour into a bowl; cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Just before serving, transfer soup to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the apple juice, cream, salt and pepper; heat through. Yield: 12 servings (about 2 quarts).

NUTRITIONAL INFO
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup equals 100 calories, 3 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 389 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.

I am also making this recipe, which I am serving on french bread. I thought it would go good with the soup.I got this recipe in my recipe group in Indiana from Michelle Hubert. Thanks Michelle!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

It's a slightly-sweet spread that
would be appropriate as a fruit dip as well.

1-8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 C canned pumpkin
1/4 C sugar
3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp vanilla

Blend cream cheese and sugar till smooth then add rest of ingredients
in batches, being careful to blend well in between additions.

I have had this spread before, and really like it. i haven't yet tried the soup, so I will have to update after tonight!