This one's for you, Meg!

I have a spring in my step this week.  A kind blog reader emailed in to show appreciation of our last post about using internet search engines:
"Great blog.  I always have a look on Riverford's website for inspiration as you can put in an ingredient and it will come up with applicable recipes...Am hoping to make February soup month, so here goes!", Meg.  Thanks so much for taking the time to email us, not least so we know we know that our witterings are relevant!

Meg's idea to dedicate February 'soup month' is a good one.  It could be a way to further develop a basic skill, is a cost effective way to feed lots of people, and soup can come in many guises.  What's that you are saying?  'Boring?'  No way...and I will prove it by telling you my top tips for keeping everyone soup savvy...

1. there are loads of different kinds of soups: lumpy ones (leek and potato), smooth (cream of carrot), international (thai chicken noodle), hybrid (lentil and bacon/broths/chowder), and we haven't even mentioned my killer minestrone yet.
2.  you can tart it up at the table (ooer!).  Putting a variety of foods on the table for eaters means they can customise their bowl, and is a good conversation starter.  Try grated cheese, posh oils, chopped celery leaves, fresh herbs, pesto loosened with olive oil, chopped mild chilli, toasted nuts, roasted vegetables, bread croutons, a big cheesey crouton.
3.  serving soup with homemade bread is always a crowd pleaser.  I haven't got time for a bread diversion here, but hope to get a guest blogger to share her tips soon.
4.  buy a new vegetable you haven't used before and do an internet search, such as 'Jerusalem artichoke soup'.
5.  buy a new spice mix.  My crowd pleaser here is 'ras al hanout'.  Someone once told me this is a 'bad housewives' spice in Morocco since it can make a success of any dish.  It has lovely warm spices and rose petals.  Use in a creamed soup of root vegetables.

If you are still in need of inspiration, take a leaf from Meg, and get a couple of foody websites on your 'favourites' bar, such as:
www.riverford.co.uk/recipes
www.rivercottage.net/recipes
www.bbc.co.uk/food
www.bbcgoodfood.com  (the GoodFood magazine has good ideas too)

Get in touch if you have any ways that you make a success of soup in your household.

Lisa Reid