I cooked Yanthy’s favorite soup two days ago. Basically, it’s a squash/pumpkin soup, which I cook with a twist every now and then. He likes the soup on its own, with rice, or with bread.

One of my ways of being a hands-on parent to my kids is by cooking for them. I try to do this as often as I can, even when we have maids. These days, since we haven’t found replacements for our previous maids, I cook almost every day. I like cooking our own food because it helps me ensure that the food is prepared in a sanitary way and that we would like the taste. Maids or cooks who follow instructions correctly are hard to find these days.

Now, let me share with you how I cook this soup.

Ingredients:

butter, 1-2 slices

onions and garlic, minced

squash/pumpkin, cubed

pork or chicken broth, 2-3 cups

all purpose cream, 1 tetra pack

evaporated milk, 1 small can (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté minced onions and garlic until the onions are transparent and the garlic is fragrant.

2. Add the cubed squash, sauté for a minute.

3. Pour in the pork or chicken broth. If you don’t have leftover broth, you can dissolve a chicken or pork broth cube in hot water as a substitute.

4. Bring to boil and cook until the squash is tender and soft enough to be mashed.

5. Reduce the heat and mash the squash. You can also remove the squash from the liquid and use a blender or food processor to puree it if you don’t want to mash it manually. Then, return it to the saucepan.

6. Once the squash has been mashed, mix the evaporated milk and all purpose cream with the squash.

7. Simmer over low heat and season with salt and pepper according to taste.

8. Remove from heat/fire and serve with bread.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I make variations to the basic recipe. Like two days ago, I added cauliflower florets and cubed quick melt cheese just before I turned off the heat. Sometimes, I mix shredded carrots or broccoli instead. Other times, I top it with any of the following: grated cheese, bacon bits, biscuits or bread.

Try it! It’s perfect during the rainy season! Experiment on the toppings! You and your kids might like it, too.

Cooking my son’s favorite soup is also my way of showing him my love. Every time I cook it for him, it’s like I’m saying, “I love you very much!”

Do you know your child’s favorite soup? Feel free to share it with me in the comments section. If you don’t know, I suggest that you make time to ask. Then, surprise him/her by cooking it even when there is no special occasion. I’m sure your child would be delighted by that surprise.

Have more time to talk to your child so you can find out his/her favorite food and prepare them yourself by signing up for the iHOPE Coaching Program! Read more about how I can help you become a better H.O.P.E. (Hands-On Parent while Earning) through this program here.

* This was originally published at Mommy Bares All. Minor edits were done for this new post.