A forgiving squash, bean and greens soup made slowly on a Sunday afternoon, with lunches left for the week.
There’s a particular kind of autumn Sunday: grey light, a chill in the air and nowhere to be. It’s the perfect afternoon for a big pot of soup. This recipe is forgiving, uses what’s around and fills the house with a smell that makes everyone wander into the kitchen.
Ingredients
- A generous glug of olive oil or a knob of butter
- Two onions, chopped
- Three carrots and two celery sticks, diced
- Three garlic cloves, sliced
- A small squash or pumpkin, peeled and cubed
- A large potato, cubed
- A tin of white beans, drained
- Stock to cover, vegetable or chicken
- A few sprigs of thyme and a bay leaf
- A handful of chopped kale or chard
- Salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon
Method
1. Start slow
Warm the oil in a heavy pot over low heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery with a pinch of salt. Let them soften gently for a good while, stirring now and then. Don’t rush this part; it builds the flavour.
2. Add the garlic and herbs
Stir in the garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Cook for a minute or two until fragrant.
3. Add the bulk
Add the squash and potato. Pour in stock to cover by a couple of fingers. Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat.
4. Let it bubble
Simmer with the lid slightly ajar until the squash is soft. Use the time to read, fold laundry or sit by the window.
5. Finish
Stir in the beans and greens and cook until the greens wilt. Remove the bay leaf. Mash some of the squash against the side of the pot to thicken the soup. Season with salt, pepper and a little lemon.
To serve
Ladle into warm bowls. Add crusty bread, a drizzle of good oil or a grating of hard cheese.
For the week
Cool leftovers quickly and keep them in the fridge for a few days, or freeze in portions. It tastes even better the next day.
Make it yours
Swap squash for sweet potato, beans for lentils or kale for cabbage. Use what the season and your fridge offer. That’s the whole idea behind our seasonal guide. For the setting, see making your home cozier.