Loop the Loop

“Heebie-jeebies” ...an idiom used to describe a particular

type of anxiety – uncomfortably nervous … curious?

Back when I was working to gain my Cordon Bleu Certificate we students presented ourselves for work and to our horror were given an invention test. For those out there who watch Masterchef you'll be familiar with the concept and understand why the phrase the “heebie-jeebies” is entirely appropriate!

We were given a bowl of cooked peas, sweetcorn, carrot and broccoli. Our task was to produce a “Soup of the Day”.

It's all very well when you are throwing whatever you've got in the fridge into a pan in your own kitchen – being scrutinised and marked to boot is a whole new ballgame!

Here goes nothing :

Soup de Loop

(a catchy title I thought)

1 onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic chopped

1 green chilli, chopped, seeds out

Rapeseed oil

1 old potato, cubed

1 litre of vegetable stock to begin + half a litre later, when thickening.

We used Knorr liquid stock, Touch of Taste – Knorr Stock pots

would be as good if you can't get hold of the

Touch of Taste

Medium curry powder – to taste – 1 dessertspoon used

Mace – to taste – 1 tsp used

Salt and black pepper

Dice the carrots and broccoli should be kept in small florets.

Sauté the onion, garlic & chilli in the oil, add the curry powder and mace. Add the stock and cubed potato and bring to the boil, simmer until the potato is cooked but firm. When ready to serve 2 ladles of stock in blender until very smooth i.e. dip spoon in, look at the back of the spoon it will show the texture of the soup. Should be smooth. Add back to remaining stock, then add the cooked peas, sweetcorn, diced carrots and broccoli. As with all soups, leave the addition of salt until the end.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Even though I say so myself not a bad effort and an added bonus - a healthy, nutritious soup using leftovers – not too shabby!