The Easiest Soup in the World...

...During this time of darker evenings, colder mornings and a hunkering down to the annual feel good shows of the GBBO and Strictly, its the culinary season of pies, pickles & soups, and this soup is the quickest ever to make as you don't have to peel the veg!....

This can be made even quicker with pre-prepared garlic & onion!

Just be careful not to make the soup too watery - start with a small amount of water that just covers the vegetables 

I love having a homemade soup at the weekends but sometimes the thought of peeling more veg after a week of cooking with the Mix & Munch classes and my families daily needs, I just cant face peeling more carrots or hacking through an uncooked butternut squash!

This soup is so easy, tastes delicious, uses an interesting ingredient (in a soup!) and ensures you are getting some vitamins into you and your families diet in these wintery months!

Cucumber & Courgette Soup (or just Courgette soup!)

Knob of Butter

1 onion - diced

2 garlic cloves - crushed

2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves/Mixed Herbs

1 diluted vegetable stock cube (not too much water 500ml to start with)

2 courgettes - roughly cut (double if you are using just courgettes)

2 cucumbers - roughly cut

White wine - splash (optional)

Single cream - tbsp in each portion (optional)

1. Gently melt the butter and add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 5-10 minutes until the onions are translucent.

2. Add the salt & pepper and mixed herbs/thyme leaves.

3. Chop the cucumber and courgettes and add into the pan with the stock, thoroughly mix.

4. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes

5. Blend and enjoy!

Peas & Mint - Add some peas in with the courgettes & cucumber and decorate with sprigs of mint

Leek & Nutmeg - Add some leeks into the soup (again no peeling required!) and flavour with 1 tsp ground nutmeg

Replace the vegetable stock with Chicken Stock

Decorate with Shavings of Parmesan or Chopped Chives or Crumbles of Feta