My oven is back in action this month, warming up the kitchen a treat and producing all sorts of new meals. At this time of year I’m very keen on whipping up big batches of hearty and comforting soup. Like a warm smoothie, it’s easy to pile in a large proportion of your five a day and anything filling and nutritious is my kind of meal.

A few weeks ago I knocked up a butternut squash and chilli soup recommended by one of my very kind instagram followers. This involved roasting a butternut squash laden with chilli flakes then blitzing with sautéed onion and vegetable stock to a thick and creamy consistency. Top off with a dollop of creme fraiche and you’ll be in heaven with your hat on.
Another one of my favourite soup recipes is Celery and Stilton. When I was younger we used to spend some of the Christmas holidays in a teeny cottage in the North Yorkshire village of Staithes. This soup was a staple of our stay and the smell reminds me of happy days filled with hilltop walks, strolls on the beach and lots of Monopoly.

The lovely Claire B was very enthusiastic about her soup maker recently prompting me to go and check out their merits. I’m usually quite happy with a pan and a stick blender so was quite intrigued as to what a soup maker could bring to the table, so to speak. I have to say after doing a bit of research I’m tempted! You just throw in your ingredients and twenty odd minutes later dinner is ready. Perfect for the time starved cook.

Now I’m on a soup making mission, I’d love to know your favourite combos? What’s your favourite soup to knock up during the autumn? I’ve recommended my favourite recipe book and utensils below (as well as the soup maker I’m considering). Any other books or implements you’d like to recommend?

{SOUP ESSENTIALS}
  • LE CREUSET
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  • SOUP MAKER
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  • STICK BLENDER
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  • DELIA SMITH - SOUP
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