Tornado Alley (PROG)

[janice shell]

You know how the outside of it gets ucky...

Um, no I am unfamiliar with that phenomenon. I would have thrown it out. You should have cooked the onion in some olive oil till transparent and soft, and then have added the garlic for a few minutes more. And a small amount of tomato paste adds depth of flavor and color. Tomato paste should go on stews as well.

And the pumpkin soup would probably also need black pepper or red pepper flakes, or maybe both.