Celery and Blue Cheese Soup

My love of a good bowl of soup is well known by now I should think. I have written a lot about it being the ultimate "bowl food" experience, and because of the myriad flavour combinations, textures and ability to adapt to the changing seasons it is a meal that knows no end to variation.

In January every year we ditch the heavy sauces, rich dishes and heavy carbs for a much lighter way of dining altogether.  It's a month that is screaming out for cleansing, fresh, zingy flavours.  Reducing the meat (or using lighter alternatives) and really packing in the fish.  Plenty of veggies, raw and cooked and swapping spuds for rice and noodles.  Each time we do this, we try something new.

Celery and Blue Cheese Soup

My love of a good bowl of soup is well known by now I should think. I have written a lot about it being the ultimate “bowl food” experience, and because of the myriad flavour combinations, textures and ability to adapt to the changing seasons it is a meal that knows no end to variation.

I came up with this recipe for Celery & Blue Cheese soup during a spell of weather in early May that was all blue sky and sunshine. So, loosely I am calling this a summer soup as for me it was inspired by the prospect of BBQ’s and dipping hot smoky chicken wings into a cooling blue cheese dip with sticks of crunchy, crisp celery on the side. So yes, I feel I am at liberty to call this a summer soup, although of course it would be just as comforting eaten beside a roaring fire, post walk on a rainy November day so, you know, whatever floats your boat!

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Turkey and Cashew Nut Parcels

In January every year we ditch the heavy sauces, rich dishes and heavy carbs for a much lighter way of dining altogether.  It’s a month that is screaming out for cleansing, fresh, zingy flavours.  Reducing the meat (or using lighter alternatives) and really packing in the fish.  Plenty of veggies, raw and cooked and swapping spuds for rice and noodles.  Each time we do this, we try something new.

 This time around we have been on a journey of discovery with Fiona Uyema’s simply excellent cookbook “Japanese Food Made Easy”.  Aside from the trickiness that is unavoidable with regards sushi and sashimi, the book totally delivers what it says on the tin.  You thought Japanese food was difficult?  Not with this book in your arsenal it’s not!

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Harissa Spiced Cannon of Lamb with Fruity Cous Cous and Chargrilled Courgettes

All of a sudden the weather has changed and the nights are becoming noticably shorter. It’s not quite woolly jumpers, beef stew and roaring fires kind of weather yet, but there is no doubting that even my tastebuds are noticing the change in weather and veering towards the more comforting flavours of autumn. This is the best time of year to mix the end of the summer with the start of the autumn with your flavours when cooking in gentle preparation for the winter coming. I think that this dish delivers completely on this need.

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