Thai pumpkin soup with gruyère toasties

Ingredients

• 2–3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 cm piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped
• 1 long red chilli, seeds removed, sliced
• 1 tbsp lemongrass, chopped
• ½ bunch coriander, stalk and leaves chopped
• 500 g butternut pumpkin, peeled, diced
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 270 ml coconut cream
• 500 ml water
• 4 slices bread
• 200 g gruyère, grated
• 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
• 20 g butter

Instructions

1. In a hot, heavy-based pan over medium heat, add oil, onion, garlic, ginger, chilli, lemongrass, and coriander. Stir. Season with salt and pepper. Stir for 3–4 minutes, or until softened.
2. Add pumpkin, coconut sugar, lime juice, fish sauce and coconut cream. Top up enough water to cover pumpkin.  Simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until pumpkin is soft.
3. Meanwhile, assemble toasties. Butter side of each bread slice. Distribute cheese and chives between 2 bread slices. Season with pepper and top with a slice of buttered bread. Cook on a hot pan, weighted down with a lid, for 2–3 minutes, or until golden on both sides. 
4. Use a stick blender to puree pumpkin mixture.
5. Remove crusts from toasties and slice into three fingers. Stack and skewer to keep in place. Serve next to bowls of pumpkin soup.

This recipe is from Richo's Bar Snacks on SBS Food (Channel 33). Stream episodes via SBS On Demand.