A Cuddle In A Bowl

My friend Carron and I spent a wet wintry day visiting the glorious south downs, an exhilarating place for walkers (and cow lovers, which we both are.)

There is nothing like a bracing walk in the countryside on a cold day to wet your appetite for a bowl of comforting soup with hot crusty buttered bread, Carron and I stopped at Charleston farmhouse (a post about Charleston to follow) where a delicious pan of potato, squash and carrot soup was simmering on the stove.

This was so delicious we both had second helpings, but we were good girls when it came to the homemade cake, we shared a slice.

The beauty of eating homemade vegetable soup is that it's healthy, comforting, easy to make and economical, on top of which you can treat yourself to a little cake or chocolate afterwards. My mum always used to say homemade soup was a cuddle in a bowl.  This next recipe is a real winter warmer, the curry powder really gives it a tasty kick without making it spicy, I urge you to try it.

Spicy sweet potato and squash soup

Recipe
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 teaspoon hot curry powder
2 tablespoons torn basil leaves
300g sweet potato, peeled and diced
250g butternut squash,  peeled and diced
250g carrots, peeled and diced
750ml vegetable stock
250ml milk

Heat oil in a large saucepan, add onion and garlic and sweat for 2 minutes
Add curry powder, sweet potato, carrots and squash, give everything a good stir
Add basil leaves, stock and milk

Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes

Blend or process until smooth, you can add other fresh herbs and croutons

'A first rate soup is more creative than a second rate painting.'
Abraham Maslou

Love Donna xxxxxxxx