 I could eat this Italian-inspired soup again and again. Nourishing, delicious, full of lovely seasonal veg, and comforting in cold weather. The chicken can be left out and more cannellini beans added to make a hearty vegetarian soup.
Serves 2, prep time 60 mins (including making sourdough croutons if desired) Olive oil 5-6 large potatoes (organic if possible – potatoes can be heavily sprayed with pesticides) Sea salt and ground black pepper ½ large white onion 1 large leek Good handful cavalo nero Few cloves of garlic, roughly chopped Fresh thyme sprigs 1 tin cannellini beans (use 2 tins if making vegetarian version) A few good handfuls of shredded or sliced roasted free range chicken Optional extra: Pre-made sourdough croutons – simply cube the end of a stale loaf of sourdough and bake in the oven for 20 mins with olive oil and a generous sprinkling of salt.  Sweet, salty and juicy all at once, this dish is simple to prepare and goes well with a salad and fluffy roasted potatoes. Make sure you have toothpicks on hand before you start.
A brief note on cheese: I don't encourage eating a lot of dairy foods because...
So for these reasons, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream are foods I enjoy in moderation - a couple of times a month (or less) and on special occasions. I also recommend choosing organic dairy foods, to avoid antibiotics and support farmers who maintain higher standards of animal welfare. Now, back to the lamb recipe. Lamb is an excellent source of protein, zinc, iron and vitamin B12. It's a super food for anyone affected by stress, anxiety or depression.  This warming soup uses in-season vegetables and is lovely to come home to and heat up after a busy day. High in vitamin C, it is a tonic for those feeling stressed or burnt out.
Serves 2-3, prep time 40 mins, you will need a good blender or food processor 1 red onion, chopped Few cloves of garlic, chopped roughly 1 medium-sized butternut squash, organic if possible 2 medium to large-sized sweet potatoes, organic if possible Ground cinnamon Ground sea salt and black pepper |