Tag Archives: potato

Caldo Verde

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Following an episode of Rick Stein’s Long Weekend where he went to Lisbon in Portugal, I ended up wanting to try that famous Portuguese potato and cabbage soup. “Caldo Verde” is what I ended up making for my next venture into the soupy world.

Having been away myself in Europe, as mentioned in an earlier post, I was still itching to get back into the regular routine. I continued my routine by using cabbage in soup, something I rarely do as I am not a fan of it. However as I currently understand it, there is no definitive way to make this soup, so I did my best to create a Caldo Verde of my own.

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 574 (144 calories per serving) 

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil (olive oil will do)
  • 3 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 large onion chopped (2-3 medium if you like onions)
  • 3 medium potato , chopped
  • 3 cabbage leaves (or similar, I’m not entering the kale debate)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • add hot water to (level 2 in the soupmaker the lower one)

Method

  • Put all ingredients in the soup maker and set to chunky
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so, then blend when done until chunky.
  • For a thinner soup add more water, for a thicker soup add less water.
  • Optional (add fried and diced smoked bacon or the same using chorizo)

Purple Potato and Leek Soup

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Had some Violetta potatoes  in my fridge this week, I remembered a conversation with a friend to create a blue soup, so I experimented with these lovely looking purple potatoes and come up with a very basic soup. The Violette is a specialist variety of potato with a distinctive Blue skin and has Blue flesh inside the potato as well. Its very similar to Salad Blue 1900 ptotato.

As potatoes go they have a delicate sweet flavour, with a slightly floury flesh and they work very well in savoury dishes. They can be used in a mixed mash for a different look. The soup itself come out less colourful than purple, mainly die to the other ingredients, however its is still a delicious and comforting soup. This soup will be coming to work with us tomorrow.

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 1006 (251 calories per serving) 

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil (olive oil will do)
  • 4 medium leeks chopped
  • 6 violetta purple potatoes chopped
  • 2 medium red onions chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 vegetable stockpots
  • Add hot water to (level 2 in the soupmaker the lower one)

Method

  • Put all ingredients in the soup maker and set to smooth
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so, then blend when done until smooth.
  • For a thinner soup add more water or use level 2 in the soupmaker the higher one, for a thicker soup add less water.

Three Main Things in it Soup

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Its Friday the 13th and anything could happen! The fear of the number 13 has been given the scientific name of Triskaidekaphobia. The fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskevidekatriaphobia.

Anyway taking my lead from the Tri in Triskaidekaphobia I wondered if I could come with a soup that has three main ingredient’s that come in threes. I know its a very thin link here but as my son says “Whatever”. Well I did it! And to my amazement it works, it has a slightly sweet back note, but nonethe less a very tasty soup.

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 583 (146 calories per serving) 

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp of rapeseed oil (olive oil will do)
  • 3 peppers (I used red, green and yellow)
  • 3 medium carrots
  • 3 medium red  onions
  • 1 tbsp of tomato paste
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 celery stick
  • 1 tbsp of oregano (or to taste)
  • 1 medium potato , chopped
  • 3 splashes of Worcester sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 vegetable or chicken stockpots
  • Add hot water to (level 1 in the soupmaker the higher one)

Method

  • Put all ingredients in the soup maker and set to smooth
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so, then blend when done until smooth.
  • For a thinner soup add more water, for a thicker soup add less water.
  • Optional – You could use any vegetable (that you like) for your combination of three main things….

Potato & Leek Surprise

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This morning I am mostly recovering from Jane’s birthday. We wandered down into town last night with some friends to Pincho’s, a local Spanish Tapas bar and restaurant. After a very good meal, some great conversation and a lot of drinks we went home and danced into the wee small hours.

While I was preparing Jamie Oliver’s 5 hour Lamb for Jane’s Birthday Sunday Dinner at 4pm this afternoon, I worked on making a soup for the light evening meal (if we have one!). Searching all of the vegetables we have in the fridge I happened on some Potato’s, Leeks & Onions. Hence the Surprise! I was intending to make a spicy tomato soup.

This soup I have found is a great comforter after a night out.

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 931 (233 calories per serving) 

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 3 or 4 sticks of celery chopped
  • 4 medium leeks chopped (optional, I remove the green leaves)
  • 4 medium potatoes, chopped
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 chicken stockpots (any will do)
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Add hot water to (level 1 in the soupmaker the higher one) or 1 litre in the pan

Method

  • Put all ingredients in the soup maker and set to chunky.
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so, then blend when done until chunky.
  • For a thinner soup add more water, for a thicker soup add less water.
  • Optional: Serve with crusty bread or some yogurt, crème fraiche or cream for a creamier taste.

Celery and Stilton Soup

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Looking through the fridge I noticed we had a lot of Celery left. I mean lots, four heads of Celery in fact! And while sifting through the cheese draw I found there was some still some Stilton cheese, with no port left there was only one thing to do. Go and get more port!

No, seriously, I thought that’s too easy lets make some soup for work. So, with a few more ingredients from the fridge I set about making a Celery and Stilton soup. All of this under the watchful gaze of the my other half. “Why are you making soup at 8:30pm in the evening while EastEnders is on” she said. “I wonder” was my whispered answer……

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 874 (219 calories per serving) 

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic (or more to taste if like garlic)
  • 1 head of celery chopped (about 5 to 6 medium sized sticks)
  • 1 potato medium, chopped
  • 2 vegetable stockpots (any will do)
  • 100g of stilton (or any other blue cheese) crumbled
  • salt and pepper to taste (remember the Stilton will be a little salty)
  • Add hot water to (level 2 in the soupmaker the lower one) or 1 litre in the pan

Method

  • Put all ingredients in the soup maker and set to smooth
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so, then blend when done until smooth.
  • For a thinner soup add more water, for a thicker soup add less water.