THE MENUS IN MY PREMIUM AREA
If I were to host three dinner parties this autumn, these are the menus I’d choose…
Three opportunities to get together around a lovely table.
MENU No. 2 — A Thursday evening
What an idea! I’ve invited some friends round on Thursday evening for a proper dinner.
Crispy savoury puff pastry · Poultry with tarragon · Chocolate & orange
How about we finally took the time to entertain guests?
Pears, chanterelles & hazelnuts · Roast lamb · Autumn pavlova
MENU No. 15 — An evening with a difference
How about we do something a bit out of the ordinary tonight?
Autumn Cappuccino · Salmon in a golden coating · Chocolate & pear
For each menu: the recipes, the shopping list and my plan of action to organise everything in advance.
Your guests are seated.
You too.
ABC vegetable soup (traditional method & Thermomix)
Description
Here's a vegetable soup that's simple, tasty and fun thanks to its little letter-shaped noodles, which are particularly appealing to children. It's easy to prepare both in the saucepan and in the Thermomix, and makes an ideal family dinner or a light, vitamin-packed starter.
Ingredients
Instructions
- TRADITIONAL METHOD
Preparation (traditional method)
1. Finely chop the garlic and shallot.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, then fry the garlic and shallot for 2 to 3 minutes over a medium heat.
3. Add the celery, carrots, leek, peas and courgette. Sauté for a further 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Pour in the water, add the stock cubes, bay leaf, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer, covered, for around 20 minutes.
5. Stir in the alphabet pasta and cook according to the packet instructions (about 4 minutes).
6. Adjust the seasoning and serve hot.
Tip: you can prepare the soup without the pasta the day before and keep it in the fridge. The next day, simply add the pasta and cook it directly in the soup.
THERMOMIX® METHOD
Preparation (Thermomix version)
1. Place the garlic and shallot in the bowl. Chop for 5 seconds on speed 5, then scrape down the sides.
2. Add the oil and fry for 2 mins / 120°C / speed 2 without a measuring cup.
3. Add the celery, carrots, leek, peas and courgette. Fry for 5 mins / 120°C / reverse / speed 1.
4. Add the water, stock cubes, bay leaf, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper. Cook for 20 mins / 100°C / reverse / speed 1.
5. Add the alphabet pasta and continue cooking according to the time indicated on the packet (e.g. 4 min / 100 °C / reverse / speed 1).
6. Adjust the seasoning and serve immediately.
