Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Warming Wednesday

Its that time of year again and I've got the lurgy (a yukky chest infection with which I have been keeping everyone awake for nights). I haven't got much festive feeling (most unusual for me at the beginning of December) no christmas crafting is being done, and nothing is being ticked off the on the Christmas to do list. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself today, so decided a bowl of warming soup was in order. It was SO GOOD I have to share the recipe with you!

Squash, Chickpea and Chorizo Soup

1 squash, around 800g, peeled and cut into rough 1cm chunks
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 small chilli, seeded and finely chopped
200g chorizo, halved and cut into rough 1cm chunks
Splosh of olive oil
1.5 litres vegetable or chicken stock
1 x 400g can of chickpeas drained and rinsed
Handful chopped parsley

1. Gently heat a splosh of olive oil and cook the onion, chilli and chorizo with a lid on for 4-5 minutes, stirring every so often.
2. Add the squash and stock, bring to the boil, season and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Add the chickpeas and continue to simmer for a further 15 minutes.
4. Blend a ladleful of the soup in a liquidiser until smooth, add back to the pot with the parsley and simmer for another couple of minutes before serving. (Or you can do as I did and roughly blend the whole lot until you like the texture).
5. Enjoy and feel better!

That wasn't the only thing to warm up my Wednesday. Look what the postman brought me today!

A lovely surprise parcel all the way from Italy! What could be inside?

Just look at all these lovely things sent from Michela at Little Secrets From My Garden. It's her Christmas giveaway!

Lovely scented embroidery thread (how exciting I've never seen this before!) what festive colour, I will definitely be using that with something christmassy this week, some exquisite buttons - what beautiful colours! And a lovely lavender sachet, a strawberry bath cube and some lovely Scarlett perfume.

Thank you so much Michela, your lovely Christmas parcel really warmed my day, it was such a lovely unexpected surprise. You are so very kind! And I can't wait to make something with my festive thread and buttons!

I hope you are all feeling warm and festive this Wednesday!

Sally xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx





8 comments:

  1. Hello Sally
    So to hear that you have been unwell of late, I am sure the soup warmed your cockles! How nice it is when someone is thinking about you…lovely gifts!

    Thank you for your comments on my blog specially about Sarah Raven, it was a great day and I came away most excited about creating a cut flower garden.
    I have been to Perch Hill too, on one of her open days it was so exciting to see the gardens t in the flesh. It was incredibly busy and everyone seemed to want to speak to her, I was taking a photo of their Oast house and she popped out of the door and we both over heard a woman saying in a loud voice how many nettles she has seen, we both chuckled between ourselves.
    When I have been feeling a bit low I just look at her books and they seem to brighten up my day, thinking about my garden. I hope when you look at her Christmas book you will soon start feeling Christmassy too!

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  2. What a yummy soup recipe, I shall have to give it a try!

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  3. Hi Sally, sorry to hear you're feeling poorly, I'm a bit under the weather too and I'm not enjoying the festive December air! Do you think we are still in time?! ;-)

    P.S.glad you like your tiny parcel!

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  4. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I may have to try that one. I've tried chickpeas on my little 2 before and they werem't keen, but blended into a soup may be good.
    What a wonderful gift you receieved from Michela.
    Hope you are feeling better very soon and able to get into the festive cheer.
    Lisa x

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  5. My DH is going to love that soup, so many favourite ingredients!

    Michela is such a generous person, what a lovely Christmas parcel!

    And a big hug, to make you feel a little better and help you to get your mojo back.

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  6. Hi there ..hope you are feeling better soon.
    Here's a little something to cheer you up...
    You won my giveaway!
    Please email me your name and address (my email is on my blog)
    xxx

    Sal ;-)

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  7. How well times of Michela to ensure your parcel arrived just when you needed cheering up!

    I hope you feel better soon

    Victoria xxx

    PS the watch is great isn’t it! The good news is I have got a watch for Christmas, the bad news is… it isn’t that one!!!

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  8. Just a quick note to say I love your blog and inspired by your soup I make a quick chicken soup for the boys and I based on your love soup but used chicken and chorizo. Boys a(17 and 18 year olds loved it, my husband was on late shift so we experiment when he's not here for tea.

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