PUMPKIN SPREAD FOR TOAST RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 12-by-8-inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, condensed milk, regular milk, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs and 1 tablespoon of the melted butter and whisk until combined. Grab a slice of bread and submerge it in the pumpkin custard. Soak with enough custard to cover both sides of the bread, then transfer it to the prepared baking pan. Repeat the process until the bottom of the pan is covered.
• In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar until combined and the cream cheese is clump free; the mixture should be soft and spreadable. 
• Spread enough of the cream cheese mixture on top of the bread in the pan to cover all the slices. Soak the remaining bread slices in the remaining custard. Layer them on top of the cream cheese mixture. Combine the pecans, brown sugar and remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt. Top the casserole with the pecan mixture.
• Bake until the top is golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup. 

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds with a spoon (see tip below). Cut into wedges or chunks (keep the skin on) and tip into a bowl. Put the garam masala, and 1 tsp each of the coriander and cumin into a small bowl and mix with 2 tbsp of the oil and season. Drizzle over the pumpkin and toss well to coat in the spiced oil. Transfer to a baking tray, spread out evenly and roast for 40-45 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until the pumpkin is very soft when pierced with a fork. Leave to cool on the tray for a few minutes.
• Heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion with a pinch of salt for 10 mins until soft. Add the ginger, garlic and remaining spices and chilli flakes, and fry for a few more minutes until fragrant. Pour in the stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
• When the pumpkin is cool enough to touch, use a spoon to scoop the soft flesh from the skins. Add the soft pumpkin to the stock pan, discarding the skins. Remove from the heat and blitz the soup with a hand blender until creamy and smooth. Season to taste, adding extra chilli or garam masala if you like. Put back over a low heat and stir in the cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then serve in bowls with a drizzle more cream and a pinch of chilli to serve. Top with toasted pumpkin seeds, if you like.