Fastnet, Lundy, Irish Sea

Photo © Rob Jones

Morning routine: Wake up, look out of the window, say ‘oh what a surprise.’ Watch heavy rain and gusty winds - again. Wonder why it seems endless.

The weather has been contrary all year.

It was beautiful in January, before things went crazy in the world. I walked up Snowdon in a t-shirt. A beautiful Spring followed at the start of lockdown which emphasised the new growth and birdsong that seemed to become a hopeful theme that played through our days of isolation.

Summer was … meh!

A few beautiful weeks in Autumn too .. and walked up Snowdon for the second time this year on Saturday in blazing sunshine. I think I may even have got a sun tan.

And then this week? Back to the crazy and incessant wind and rain.

Maybe that’s what’s put me in a ‘comfort food’ frame of mind.

Let’s make a soup, I thought. Let’s impro! Wing it. See what occurs.

3 Finely Diced Onions.
Two Diced Carrots
3 Cloves of Garlic
A couple of inches of Chorizo Sausage, finely diced.
2 Large Potatoes, peeled and diced.
Small glass of White Wine.

Fry all these together in a chunk of Butter and plenty of Olive Oil. Chuck in the wine and reduce.

When everything is nicely glazed and sweated, add a litre of Vegetable Stock, and a can of chopped Tomatoes, plus some Tomato paste.

Simmer until the root vegetables are soft. Throw in some Butter Beans or Cannellini Beans and some rough cut Lettuce - I used the sorry end of an iceberg lettuce, finely chopped.

Now - I always think it’s good to let it sit for a little, before simmering up again, toss in a knob of butter and stir, and serving with some crusty bread. If naughty, just grate some cheese over the top.

Sit in front of the fire, listening to the howling wind.

RJ