For colder evenings, a bit of heat and warm comforting texture is simply lovely. So I thought, why not make a pumpkin spice risotto? Or as I like to call it, the basic girl risotto. You're welcome

I thought that putting cinnamon in risotto would be a bit of strange taste sensation, so went with curry spices instead for a savoury flavour.



200g Risotto or Arborio Rice
4 cups vegetable stock
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup of pumpkin, diced into small cubes ( I got a cute baby one from the supermarket)
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon of curry powder
2 teaspoons of dried corriander leaves
a good slug of vegetable oil
good old salt and pepper


Heat your oil in a big saucepan. Add all of the curry spices, except for the corriander, and gently warm over a low heat for a minute or so.
Add the onion and the garlic, and gently fry until it starts to go translucent and soft.
Add the pumpkin, and sear the outside of the cubes. This will stop it going all mushy when you add the rice and stock
After the pumpkin has been in there for a few minutes, add the rice and stir well so it's coated in all of those lovely curry flavours.
Add enough stock to cover everything, and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down so that it's gently bubbling away. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir every so often, and keep the rice covered with stock and gently simmering.
When you have used up all of the stock, taste it to make sure everything is cooked and add the corriander. Stir well so it's all in there and delicious.
Serve and enjoy

So, if you like pumpkin and spicy food then this is for you. I had not tried pumpkin before and I actually quite like it. It stinks when it's raw but it's actually quite delicious. I hope you give it a go, especially as they are in season now. Perfect for a chilly evening indoors. Now, where are my ankle boots?

Pumpkin curry spice dairy free vegan risotto

Carnies Testimony:

When The Herb first told me she was trying this, I was terrified. This might be the first bad meal she had made. But I was so wrong! It seems like a strange combination, especially for someone who has never had a pumpkin spiced anything before, but the flavours really do go together well. Try it if you're feeling adventurous, and you'll be as surprised as I was.