• Pumpkin soup with cinnamon croutons Serves: 4 Time: 1 hr In a medium pot, heat a glug of olive oil over low heat. Add 1 peeled and diced onion, 2 peeled and minced garlic cloves and a small handful fresh rosemary leaves. When the onion is soft and translucent, add 1kg diced pumpkin. Add vegetable/chicken stock to just cover the pumpkin and simmer until the pumpkin is tender, 50 minutes. Once tender, blitz the soup with a hand blender or standing blender and season to taste. Stir in 250ml (1 cup) fresh cream, 15ml (1 tbsp) cinnamon and add a…

    Peri-peri – or piri-piri in its original Swahili form – originates from the chilli spice, one of many spices discovered by Columbus. It was traded in the Iberian Peninsula before being taken to Angola and Mozambique by Portuguese merchants. Chillies are a favourite part of Portuguese cooking and can easily be grown in a pot as part of your kitchen garden. Peri-peri is perfect with chicken, fish and vegetables or added to pasta. Recipe by Anna Montali Photograph by Vanessa Grobler