Wednesday 8 February - Soup and CHEESE!!!!

Mulligatawny soup today - thanks to Andy for this soup recipe, that even George will eat. The only things I have changed is to use about a quarter of the oil specified, and to use skinless chicken breast rather than leg/thigh portions (mainly as these were what I had in the freezer)
The recipe starts with chopped turnip, carrot, and onion fried - then in go the spices - curry powder, cloves and cracked peppercorns, stock, red lentils, sultantas ( I used raisins) and the chicken breasts. All simmered for around an hour, then shred the chicken, season and serve.

This was served with my version of ciabatta - 500g of flour and one pack of easy action yeast, plus some salt and a dash of olive oil - mixed in the Kenwood with a dough hook with about twice as much water as you would imagine it could ever need. It needs to almost be a batter. Leave to rise and then scrape out onto some semolina sprinkled on a board. Sprinkle more over the top, and gently shape to a square and divide into rolls or loaves - try not to knock the air out. Leave to rise again, then bake for about 20 mins in a very hot oven.

The soup and bread were perfect for a very chilly evening, but not quite filling enough - so my first cheese course for a month or so followed. Weight watchers crackers - (the rest of  these have gone to the chickens, they were absolutely revolting!) with low fat cambembert (very very nice!!). I also had some half fat cheddar in the fridge, but this didn't end up being opened.