14 Fun & Random Facts About Me + A ‘Super’ Delicious Soup
[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] T[/dropcap]he other day I was having loads of fun updating my ‘about’ page. And it occurred to me that you might not know all this stuff.
So this week I thought I’d share probably more than you want to know about the ‘brains’ behind Stonesoup.
Oh and I have an amazing soup recipe for you too!
14 Fun & Random Facts About Me
Spicy Kale & Chorizo Soup
One of my all time favourite mid-week meals is Chorizo & Kale which satisfies both my Irishman’s need for something meaty and spicy and my need for lots of greens! This soup version ticks all the same boxes while being even more comforting and satisfying.
enough for: 2
takes: 20 minutes
2 chorizo, or other spicy sausage diced
2 bunches kale, finely sliced
3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon sherry or wine vinegar
shaved parmesan, to serve (optional)
1. Heat a large pot on a medium high heat. Add a good glug of oil to the pan and cook chorizo, stirring every few minutes until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Remove chorizo from the pan and place in a clean bowl. Leave as much of the spicy oil as you can.
2. Add kale and stock to the pan and bring to the boil. Simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes or until kale is wilted and tender.
3. Remove from the heat and puree soup using a stick blender.
4. Add vinegar. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
5. To serve divide soup between two bowls. Top with chorizo and parmesan (if using) and finish with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Variations
vegetarian – replace chorizo with semi dried tomatoes or char grilled red peppers and add a tablespoon of smoked paprika to the soup with the kale. You might like to serve with a poached egg for extra protein.
dairy-free / paleo – skip the parmesan or replace with sliced almonds.
different greens – feel free to use collard greens, spinach, baby spinach, chard, rainbow chard or silverbeet instead of the kale.
no chorizo – any spicy sausage or salami will work. You could also use fresh sausage, just crumble and cook as per the recipe.
carb-lovers / more substantial – add cooked pasta, couscous, potatoes or rice and bring back to a simmer before serving. You might like to double the amount of chorizo too. Crusty bread and butter as a side also works well.
richer – serve with a big dollop of mayo on top of the chorizo.
Big love
Jules x
9 Comments
Hi Jules,
Thanks so much for all your recipes! I have loved them for a while now and often find inspiration.
I have a major problem now and I was hoping you could help me out with some of your great ideas:
I have a friend with an autoimmune disease and who can’t tolerate gluten. She is currently too sick and/or busy to cook herself and so I’m cooking meals a few times a week to bring to her and her husband (she works full time and takes care of her disabled husband). Her health-coach, or whatever it’s called these days, have now put her on a strict diet and after just 3 days she is feeling better. But it will take weeks before she gets back to normal… so here’s the list of things she CAN’T eat:
Gluten
Sugar
Soy
Nuts
Fruits
Dairy
Goitrogens vegetables
Can you think of recipes that can be adapted to fit this bill..??? I know it’s a challenge, but I’m hoping you got something up your sleeve, because we’ll be running out of ideas very soon.
Thanks!
Lene in Tokyo
Hi Lene! Good for you helping your friend :) most of the recipes one stonesoup will fit the bill for your requirements if you look at the variations. I’m not sure about the goitrogen veg but am sure you’ll know your way around those :) Jx
I’m right there with you on #3 and #4. Diets don’t work and they’re a drain. I don’t have your diagnoses but I just don’t have the crashes and brain fog when I do lower carbs and higher fat. I’m going to take signals from my body on this one.
Nice one Courtney :)
that soup is very inviting .great colour and taste.not sure about the mayo.dollop of sour cream sounds right for me.on your life background aren’t you glad you went to those places.young children change everything.our food memories are very important.i remember david thompson’s thai duck red curry when he came to town 20 yrs back.
Yes I’m sure glad I travelled a lot before starting a family Barry! And I’d love to taste that Thai duck curry :)
I’m catching up on my blogs and love that I read this post. I’m so lucky to have such a great foodie as my neighbour and friend. You know I love food too. So, so much. What is life without good food and wine.
We need to have you and your men over soon. Maybe a big lunch before Christmas. We eat oysters and drink wine and talk about the food we struggle to grow and the children we seem to grow well. ;)
x
Sounds awesome Linda! Count us in :)
Ha! always assumed (zero reason) you were American. Can’t believe going by your pics, that you have D /2! I’m in SA and my bucket list grows longer with every blog of yours I read. Keep it up and please keep feeding us the good stuff.
Hi Jules,
Thanks so much for all your recipes! I have loved them for a while now and often find inspiration.
I have a major problem now and I was hoping you could help me out with some of your great ideas:
I have a friend with an autoimmune disease and who can’t tolerate gluten. She is currently too sick and/or busy to cook herself and so I’m cooking meals a few times a week to bring to her and her husband (she works full time and takes care of her disabled husband). Her health-coach, or whatever it’s called these days, have now put her on a strict diet and after just 3 days she is feeling better. But it will take weeks before she gets back to normal… so here’s the list of things she CAN’T eat:
Gluten
Sugar
Soy
Nuts
Fruits
Dairy
Goitrogens vegetables
Can you think of recipes that can be adapted to fit this bill..??? I know it’s a challenge, but I’m hoping you got something up your sleeve, because we’ll be running out of ideas very soon.
Thanks!
Lene in Tokyo
Hi Lene! Good for you helping your friend :) most of the recipes one stonesoup will fit the bill for your requirements if you look at the variations. I’m not sure about the goitrogen veg but am sure you’ll know your way around those :) Jx
I’m right there with you on #3 and #4. Diets don’t work and they’re a drain. I don’t have your diagnoses but I just don’t have the crashes and brain fog when I do lower carbs and higher fat. I’m going to take signals from my body on this one.
Nice one Courtney :)
that soup is very inviting .great colour and taste.not sure about the mayo.dollop of sour cream sounds right for me.on your life background aren’t you glad you went to those places.young children change everything.our food memories are very important.i remember david thompson’s thai duck red curry when he came to town 20 yrs back.
Yes I’m sure glad I travelled a lot before starting a family Barry! And I’d love to taste that Thai duck curry :)
I’m catching up on my blogs and love that I read this post. I’m so lucky to have such a great foodie as my neighbour and friend. You know I love food too. So, so much. What is life without good food and wine.
We need to have you and your men over soon. Maybe a big lunch before Christmas. We eat oysters and drink wine and talk about the food we struggle to grow and the children we seem to grow well. ;)
x
Sounds awesome Linda! Count us in :)
Ha! always assumed (zero reason) you were American. Can’t believe going by your pics, that you have D /2! I’m in SA and my bucket list grows longer with every blog of yours I read. Keep it up and please keep feeding us the good stuff.