Even with a
drop in temperature and the evenings drawing darker by the day, I'm eager to
welcome all that winter has to offer. I'm never too dismayed when brisk, winter
chills replace our milder autumnal climate. With a colder spell upon us the
opportunity to light up the stove arises, and evenings sitting cosily under a
blanket on the sofa is suddenly within our reach. Along with the change of
season comes the excuse to indulge in quintessential comfort foods. When we’re
in search of warmth from the inside out, stews, soups and carbohydrate-laden
dishes become top of our dinner menus again. For someone who gains great
pleasure in devouring a bowl of dumpling topped stew or using a crust of
toasted bread to savour that last morsel of soup from a bowl, this change of
menu can't but make me happy. I also happen to live in a household where
Halloween is much celebrated, so the plotting and planning for the scary season
brings much delight. Of course I miss the late evening walks or gardening until
late, but I do so appreciate the somewhat calmness that winter dictates, and as
it arrives I embrace it with open arms.*
Hearty Tomato Tortellini Soup
A big pot of soup is one of the best ways to feed a family. To make it into a more substantial meal a few spuds or some pasta is a great way to bulk it up. Tomato soup is a real favourite in my house, and with the addition of some fresh tortellini, this easy to prepare soup is not only filling but also extremely flavoursome.
Ingredients
Serves 4
1tbsp olive oil
knob of butter
1 large onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, peeled & crushed
1 red pepper, finely diced
2 tins of tomatoes (400g each)
500mls vegetable stock
Sea salt & freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp sugar
1tbsp balsamic vinegar
Pinch of dried chilli
Handful of fresh basil, plus a few leaves for serving
250g tortellini
Method
- In a medium sized saucepan add the olive oil and the knob of butter. Over a gentle heat sweat the onion, garlic and red pepper until the onions are soft but not coloured, which will take about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and the vegetable stock. Season with a little sea salt, freshly ground pepper and sugar. Add the balsamic vinegar and a pinch of dried chilli. Bring to the boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the basil and using a hand blender or processor, purée until smooth. Place the soup back in the saucepan, add the tortellini and on a medium heat simmer for a further 8 minutes.
- Pour the soup into serving bowls and garnish each one with a few small basil leaves. Serve with a few slices of garlic bread.
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Before popping up this blog post yesterday, I decided to take advantage of our glorious Autumnal weather, and head outdoors with the camera. A shot couldn't be got without the inclusion of a cat, a hen, a duck or an alpaca, so here are a few pics of our beautiful pets.
Millie has named most of our animals, and this little kitty goes by the elaborate, Oz-influenced, name of Pippy Dorothy. |
Always camera-ready, two of our beautiful alpacas, Goldstar and Caesar. |