I understand in today’s busy, hectic lifestyles the temptation to pick up tinned soup, but stop for a minute and think not only about the sugar in tinned goods but about the satisfaction of feeding your whole family, a comforting, warming, home made alternative:

Cream of Tomato Soup.

Tomato Soup

• 2 carrots thinly grated.
• 2 garlic cloves grated or 2tsp of Garlic Granules.
• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes.
• 2tbls tomato purée.
• 400mls of water.
• 1 or 2 stock cubes, chicken or vegetable are best.
• 1 or 2 bay leaves.
• 100mls of milk.
• 50mls of double cream, (optional).
• Skoosh of lemon juice, (optional)
• white pepper.
• chopped parsley or a cream swirl to finish.

1. Heat a little olive oil in a large pan.
2. Add the carrot and garlic and fry for 2-3mins.
3. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, water, lemon juice, milk, white pepper and stock cubes.
4. Bring to the boil and cook for 20mins.
5. Carefully transfer to a liquidiser and liquidise until smooth. A hand held alternative is fine and if you have neither pass through a sieve using the back of a spoon to push through the tomatoes.
6. Transfer back to the pot and add the cream if using, either way, bring back to the boil and cook for a further 10mins.
7. Taste your soup at this point, if it is a little bitter add some sugar, ½tsp at a time.
8. Add black pepper, and serve finishing with either a sprinkle of parsley or a swirl of cream.

Why not go the full hog and make your own rolls too.

Soft Rolls

soft rolls

• 5oog bread flour.
• 75mls oil.
• 2tbls dried yeast.
• 25g sugar.
• ½tsp salt.
• 1 egg
• 250mls warm water.

1. In a large bowl add the water, yeast, sugar and the oil.
2. Set aside for around 20 minutes or until a froth starts to appear.
3. Once yeast mix is ready add the flour, beaten egg and salt.
4. Mix the ingredients until well combined.
5. Turn out onto a floured surface and need for a couple of minutes.
6. Make into 12 balls and place on a large floured baking tray spaced a little apart.
7. Allow the dough to rest for around 30 minutes.
8. Sprinkle a little flour over the top.
9. Cook in a pre heated oven 200°c, 400°f or gas mark 6 for 12 minutes.
10. Allow to cool for around 10 minutes, if you can wait that long that is.
11. Serve with your soup and enjoy.

Next week, Haggis Patties, for this you will need, Haggis, tinned is fine, potatoes, egg and breadcrumbs. This is great for making two meals in one, by buying a larger than normal haggis this meal then becomes a great leftovers meal.

Haggis Patties