Each day during Lent, Ave Maria Press will be posting soup recipes and Lenten reflections from our Lenten prayer books here on the Ave Maria Press website. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more inspiration.
Lenten Reflection
From Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens:
Mercifully, God does not grow tired of us even when we take him for granted. But, if we treat God like this forever, we will be the ones who grow weary, frustrated, and joyless. God is not a concept, but a person, so in order to find the love and joy of the Lord, we must give ourselves the space and opportunity to speak in praise of him. Not just about what he’s done for us, but about who he is and how he loves us.
Pumpkin Soup
(8 servings) 
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1 large onion, sliced
1 15- ounce can pumpkin
4 cups chicken stock or broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon curry
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups half-and-half cream
salt and pepper to taste
sprigs of parsley
Prepare the soup
In a 4 to 6 quart saucepan, melt butter. Add onion and sauté. Stir in pumpkin, chicken stock, bay leaf, sugar, curry, and nutmeg. Simmer uncovered 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf. Pour ingredients into a blender and puree. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat 5 to 10 minutes, but do not boil.
To serve, top with sprigs of parsley.
Submitted by Michael Heimbach.
Commentary
This recipe was prepared by marketing interns Monica Murphy and Dennis Crowley in the kitchen at Ave Maria Press. The wonderful scent of nutmeg and curry wafting through the office halls was enjoyed by all!
