Soup of the Day

[DaisyB]

When we went out for a meal with all our friends two weeks ago Dave chose the soup for starters. It was Roasted Swede and Honey Soup which I thought sounded a bit strange, Dave loved it so I searched via Google for the recipe. I have made it twice now and have to agree that it is very nice, cheap too.
So here it is if you'd fancy trying it.

ROASTED SWEDE AND HONEY SOUP, serves 4

1 swede, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp honey
1 onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 litre stock
4 sprigs thyme
125ml cream
Pumpkinseed or flavoured oil, to drizzle (I used roasted sesame)

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Place the swede on a roasting tin and drizzle over half the oil and the honey. Place in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. Blitz in the food processor or pass through a mouli and set to one side.

2. Heat the remaining oil in a medium-sized saucepan, add the onion and celery and cook for a few minutes until translucent but not coloured. Add the stock and thyme, bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Liquidise or pass through a mouli, add to the swede, then add the cream, adjust the seasoning and serve in warmed bowls with a drizzle of flavoured oil.

[Monsy]

Funny how you get new ideas from strange combinations. I bet it was tasty!

[DaisyB]

I've just had a bowl of it Monsy. If I'd just seen the recipe I wouldn't have taken any notice but as Dave pronounced it good at the restaurant I had to try it. The first time I made it I didn't have any celery so left it out, Dave said it was OK but not right. So today I put celery in it as I'd bought it specially, it made all the difference.
I think next time I will roast the swede for about 45 minutes though.

Homemade soups are so much nicer than canned soup. I love mushroom soup and I must admit that the Ainsley Harriot range of cuppa soups, the slimmers one, is great.

[Monsy]

Did you see Saturday kitchen today? (I never get to see it, but wee one was on the computer).

"Wozza" made similar, and said it tastes better if you roast the swede until slightly caramelised on the bottom.

[DaisyB]

No I didn't see that. I forget it's on. I'm usually listening to Sounds of the Sixties on the radio.

[Rowan]

What kind of stock did you use Daisy?

[DaisyB]

I used chicken stock but you could use vegetable stock. I buy Kallo organic stock cubes as they are safe for my son. So many stocks have lactose or lactic acid in them.

[Rowan]

Thanks - I might just try that one - one of these days when I get enough time to cook!!