Baby it's cold outside.

A little something to warm the body and soul.

Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients
3 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 14-oz. cans chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked orzo or wild rice
1- 1/2 cups half-and-half, light cream, or milk
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 15-oz. can pumpkin
Cracked black pepper (optional)

Directions
1. In a large saucepan melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in crushed red pepper; cook for 1 minute. Add broth; bring to boiling. Stir in orzo or rice. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 10 minutes for orzo or 40 minutes for wild rice or until orzo or rice is tender.
2. In a screw-top jar combine half-and-half and flour. Cover; shake well to combine. Stir into orzo mixture; cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in pumpkin; heat through. Transfer to an insulated container. Sprinkle each serving with cracked black pepper. Makes 6 to 8 side-dish servings.

Pumpkin Seed Breadsticks

Ingredients
1 13- to 14-oz. pkg. refrigerated pizza dough
1 egg, beaten
1 to 3 Tablespoons shelled pumpkin seeds, plain sesame seeds, and/or black sesame seeds,
Coarse salt or salt

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease two large baking sheets. Unroll pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, shape dough into a 12x9-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with some of the egg. Sprinkle with seeds and lightly sprinkle with salt. Use a floured long knife or floured pizza cutter to cut dough crosswise into 1/4- to 1/2-inch wide strips.
2. Place strips on prepared baking sheets. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 24 breadsticks.