How To Make Your Soup.

First collect together your winter vegetables and a jug of stock which can be made from a stock cube (as per instructions on the box) or your own homemade stock or if neither are available hot water for the stock.

Cut up a selection of winter vegetables that you have available such as :

Celery, Onions; Shallots are especially good in soups. You can also use red, yellow or orange peppers, parsnips, potatoes and if you wish tomatoes.

Adjust this recipe to what is available and your own tastes as this recipe idea is just a starting point.

To Cook your soup:

Put a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan you can use a deep saucepan or a good size frying pan  to start the vegetables off in...

Soften the vegetables over the gentle heat of a hob, until they are soft but not browned.

You are now ready to add the stock of your choice to the vegetables. Add a squirt from a tube of tomato paste to the stock if you wish. From the jug slowly add the quantity of hot water/stock you need for the quantity soup you are making.

Re/ Stock quantity: remember the slow cooker/crok pot has a maximum capacity that you must not exceed, please refer to the manufacturers booklet if you are unsure about this. I

(If you are not using a slow cooker continue to cook the soup in the saucepan on a gentle heat on the hob. A simmering heat or less is suitable.)

If you are are using a slow cooker ....give the ingredients a chance to warm through in the saucepan and give the stock a good stir then transfer it into your slow cooker. Make sure the slow cooker is switched onto the correct temperature follow the manufactures instructions/advice on this. The lower the temperature setting the longer it will take to cook.

When it smells wonderful and it is cooked (you will know by the texture and the taste) serve with chunks of bread like French stick or ciabatta and add salt & pepper to your own taste.

If you like your soup smooth try blending it once it has cooled in a blender; but chunky vegetable soup makes a more filling meal.   Enjoy.

I have n’t tried to cook this soup the following way but: if there is no hob to start it as the recipe then just put all of the ingredients into the slow cooker from the start leave out the oil and allow more time for it to cook.