- Clean Pumpkin, remove skin and seeds and chop into cubes. 
- In a pressure cooker , melt 1 tablespoon of butter . Add chopped garlic cloves , sliced onions and a bay leaf ,saute well till onion starts to brown lightly. 
- Add chopped pumpkin cubes , mix well and add salt. 
- Add 1 cup of water/ stock and pressure cook for 1 whistle. Allow pressure to release on its own. 
- Discard bay leaf ,drain the stock and reserve it. Place the cooked pumpkin in a blender / food processor. 
- Add ¼ cup of reserved stock and blend it  to get puree. 
- Adjust the consistency ,if required by adding the reserved stock. Add pepper powder ,1 tablespoon fresh cream(optional) ,adjust salt if needed. 
- Serve it hot , topped with croutons and slice of garlic bread.