Oo it is most definitely soup season again. I love making soup. I love chopping vegetables for starters (strange for some I know, but I just do!)  It takes me back to the early days of working at the Nuffield. It was great to be able to create something from scratch & layer it up with flavours, and I enjoy making it now as much as ever. Soup is always a popular lunch time choice, and is such a great way of filling kids up with veg! My kids love my soup and that always makes me happy.

I made this soup this week for Halloween. Pumpkin can be a bit bland but adding in some other veg & flavours can turn it into something special. It eased my conscience a little when my kids asked for  ‘more’ before heading out for the inevitable trick or treating! I suspect you will have used up your carved pumpkins by now, but the pumpkin and squash season will be around for a little while yet so why not give it a go.

Serves 4-6

2 onions finely chopped

2 medium carrots finely chopped

3 garlic cloves finely chopped

1 red chilli finely diced

1 medium pumpkin (or butternut squash), peeled & diced

1 sweet potato

1 apple, diced

1 litre vegetable stock

Juice from 1 lime

• Cook onion, carrot & garlic gently with a little olive oil & water until soft
• Add squash, sweet potato, apple, & stock & bring to the boil
• Simmer for about 30-40 minutes until all the veg are cooked.
• Add the lime juice & blend.
• Season with salt & pepper