Vegetable cheese soup and Ravioli

I am another day late!
I had such a busy day yesterday , two kids :] They are a handful.
Soup is always nice for a cold day . Warms you up a little. And if you do a big batch , you can always freeze it in portions and have it for lunch during the week.



Total time: 45 mins
Preparation time: 15 min
Cooking time:  30 mins
serves 6
Level: easy

Ingredients

Half a cauliflower
Half a broccoli
2 carrots
2 celery sticks
1 onion
1 potatoe
150g of cheddar cheese
1 tbsp English mustard
1 litre vegetable stock
seasoning
olive oil
crusty bread
panchetta or streaky bacon rashers



Chop all your vegetables . Don't need to worry how they are chopped as you are going to mush it all up later with a hand blender. But remember the smaller your pieces the quicker it all cooks.
In a pot big enough add some oil and throw all your vegetables in , leave to cook for about 10 minutes on a low flame half covered with a lid.
When soft enough add your warm stock in and season . Simmer for another 15 minutes.  Take off the heat and with a hand blender , liquidize it . When ready to serve fry your panchetta until crispy . Put the soup back on the hob ( for about 5 minutes) add the cheese and mustard in , stir it until all combines.
Serve into bowls and top with two panchetta slices on each bowl. serve with some crusty bread with butter. I can assure you that this turns out delicious .


I used the soup as a starter and done some ravioli with a tomatoe sauce. Quick and easy but good flavours.



Total time: 30 minutes
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes (maximum)
Level : easy
Serves 4

Ingredients

1 red onion
4 garlic cloves
1 sweet red pepper bell
1 passata
1 tsp sugar
1tsp oregano
1 tsp Italian herbs
1 tsp hot curry powder
A splash of red wine
olive oil



Get it all ready . Chop all your vegetables. In a pan drizzle the oil and on a low flame. Add the onions and garlic. Leave to saute for about 4 minutes. Now in with the pepper. Cook for a further 5 minutes . Add a splash of wine and leave to cook until it's all evaporated. Add the passata ( sieved tomatoes, or tomato juice ) . In with your herbs , spice and sugar. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

I used ravioli , but you can use any other pasta of your desire. It works quite good with all types. Grate some parmesan and enjoy !