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Some days, the only way to let winter slip off your skin
is to roast something earthy.
This stuffed pumpkin is filled with smoky bacon, mushrooms cooked dry for depth,
a touch of soy sauce for umami,
a splash of wine to deglaze,
cream, and parmesan.
Simple ingredients.
Slow cooking.
Deep comfort.
I’ll share the wine pairing in a separate short.
Cook with confidence.
From my French kitchen to you.
(Recipe in the comments.)

4 Comments

  1. Stuffed Pumpkin
    Smoked bacon, mushrooms, soy, wine, cream & parmesan
    Serves 2–4

    Ingredients
    1 small pumpkin (potimarron / kabocha works beautifully)
    Olive oil
    100–150 g smoked bacon (lardons)
    200 g mushrooms
    1 onion
    1 garlic clove
    A small splash of soy sauce
    A small glass of dry white wine (for deglazing)
    2–3 tbsp cream
    A handful of grated parmesan
    Fresh parsley
    Black pepper
    1⃣ Pre-cook the pumpkin
    Slice off the top and remove the seeds.
    Brush the inside lightly with olive oil.
    Roast at 180°C / 350°F for 25–30 minutes, until just beginning to soften.
    (It should still hold its shape — it will cook again later.)
    2⃣ Mushrooms — dry pan method
    Finely chop the mushrooms.
    Place them in a hot pan without any fat.
    Let them release their water and start to brown.
    This step concentrates flavour and prevents them from becoming slippery.
    Once lightly golden, add a small knob of butter, the minced garlic, and chopped parsley.
    Remove from the heat.
    3⃣ Bacon & onion base
    Cook the smoked bacon gently.
    Add the finely sliced onion.
    Let it soften and lightly caramelise.
    Deglaze with a small glass of dry white wine.
    Let it reduce.
    Add a splash of soy sauce —
    this brings umami depth and ties everything together with the mushrooms.
    4⃣ Bring it together
    Combine mushrooms with the bacon-onion mixture.
    Stir in the cream.
    Add grated parmesan.
    Season with black pepper (careful with salt — soy and bacon already bring plenty).
    5⃣ Final roast
    Fill the pre-roasted pumpkin.
    Return to the oven for 20–25 minutes.
    The top should be golden, the pumpkin tender.

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