Yummy Soup

We've just had some really yummy soup for lunch.  It was tasty and warming and its success was really down to KBWs soup she made for supper ealier this week.

Here's the recipe for today's soup:

2 tablespoons of Waitrose essential ingredients frozen shallots

1 large leek, sliced

2 carrots, cubed

1 large parsnip, cubed

I pack cubbetti de pancetta

1 teaspoon of Waitrose essential inredient chopped frozen chilli (expect chilli flakes would work too but maybe a bit less)

1 tbl spoon Olive Oil

Large glug of Noilly Prat

I can of borlotti beans

1 tea spoon dried mixed herbs

600 ml veg stock (hot)

salt

pepper

1. Sweat off the shallotts in the oil in a large heavy based pan

2. add the sliced leek and sweat off for 2 mins

3. Add the pancetta and cook until completely opaque (you know when the bacon goes a paler pink - about  3 mins)

4. Add a large glug of noilly prat and fry off

5. Add the cubed carrots and parsnip, dried herbs & chilli

6. Season with the Salt & Pepper generously and cook for 5 mins, stiring regularly to steam the veg a bit but not to burn the leeks (may need less time depending on your hob strength)

7. Drain and clean the beans and add them to the pot, stir in and cook for 1 minute.

8. Add the stock and bring to the boil

9. leave to simmer for 15-18 minutes (again depends on your hob)

Serve in warmed bowls with large chunks of buttered bread (I didn't have the bread by The Boy did and said it was great with the soup).

This soup can be salty - so if you don't like salt you may want to leave it out and there will be some in the pancetta and stock.

This was yummy - there are no pictures as it is all gone (The Boy finished it off).    I love it when my veg box and Ocado order inspire me to cook somethig so bvery veyr simple that ends up being so very tasty.

We're not going out at all today, we have the paper, it's FA cup on the TV and the wood burner is going on.  I'm finishing off a jumper I am knitting for a friend who is due to have a baby this coming week .  Whilst working away is tough - being home is lovely, spending time with The Boy doing very little makes it all a bit easier.

Today we Knit

picture from weheartit.com

I'm in a really good mood today.  Maybe it's because it's Friday, maybe it's because I worked yesterday and used my brain, maybe it's because I am in bed with my lap top and slept really really well.

I have worked this morning, had a pre-interview telephone conversation and had some virtual love from my twitter friends and am now looking forward to this afternoon.

Last year I started knitting again after many years off and find it very relaxing and rewarding - however so far I have only managed scarves and fingerless glove type wrist warmers.  I have a couple of friends who are having babies this year and whilst I am planning to sew some kimono style booties I also wanted to knit some socks.  I tootled off to John Lewis and bought the necessary 4 double ended needles and a pattern book and started.....but oh dear it's actually quite hard to get the stitches on the three needs and to start the knitting off.  After a few hours of trying I decided to call in the experts to help;  I sent a message of mercy to my friend Wendy on facebook and she sent me back some great instructions and advised me that it isn't just me, it is quite tricky, but that once you get it they make perfect presents and can be great (she even sent me a link for some great free patterns at Knitty).

But even better than that she offered to meet me today at a cafe in Ilkley and show me - so I get an afternoon out (possibly a bit of cake) and a lesson and to meet a friend I haven't seen for a while. Bonus.

This is where I am going this afternoon Create Cafe and Wendy has said that they ladies there are so helpful that if they are around they will probably give me some tips too.  Huzzah.

Friends, you of course know that this means.  Yup that's right - socks for gifts this year to go with the PJs I made you last year.

Update - here's one of the many I have made (and am making):