Creamy Pumpkin Soup - Confessions of a Chocoholic

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus 1/2 tablespoon for frying sage
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small shallot, chopped (approximately 1 tbsp)
• 1 garlic clove, chopped (approximately 1 tsp)
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 6 oz pumpkin cream cheese (I used Bruegger's)
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 5 sage leaves
• salt and pepper to taste
• pinch of chili pepper flakes (optional)