..Getting Started

It’s finally getting done! :D And i'm almost there... a BLOG. You mite want to know what it is about and *much,much* more. Who am I? What do I/ We do? And while you are waiting ………

Let's start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with A-B-C
When you sing you begin with do-re-mi

And when you want some thing quick and easy you say S-O-U-P-Y :D

Go ahead and try this!

A hearty Bean soup.

I really, really,really love Soups. There I said it :D

There are numerous varieties of Soups available in todays market( now thats for one of those lazziiee days ). But then when we can make it better and fresher and so much more delectable at home why go and reach for the can?

With ingredients for this soup being available all year its easy, colorful,fresh,lively and has a lovely texture.A simple supper or a main course soup the beans in it gives an amazing depth.

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• 2tbsp-Olive oil
• 1/2tsp-Garlic powder
• 1/4tsp-Cumin powder
• 1/4tsp-Coriander powder
• 1/4tsp-Paprika
• 1/4tsp-Sugar
• 1bay leaf
• Salt to taste
• 2-Onion
• 2-Carrot
• 2-3-Tomatoes, medium sized
• 4-5 Chard leaves
• 750ml-Vegetable stock
• 1Can(appox.200gms) - Cannellini Beans / White Beans
• 3-4tsp of Parmigiano-Reggiano
• A small bunch of Coriander to garnish

Lets get started, here is how i make it :

• Begin by adding the Olive oil to the Pot over medium heat.
• Add the bay leaf,roughly chopped onions,carrots and stir them around until they are soft,but not brown.
• Next goes the tomatoes and the sugar.Bring the heat to a medium low stir occasionally for the next 5minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
• Once the tomatoes are soft add the Spices- garlic,cumin,coriander,paprika and give it a quick stir and pour the stock in ( or stock cubes if using them )
• When the stock comes to a boil add the beans,the chard leaves and salt to taste and let it simmer for 5 -7minutes. (If using canned beans rinse a couple of times or you can soak a cup of white beans over night in water.Next morning drain the water from the soaked white beans,rinse and add fresh water and place the beans with fresh water in a large bottomed pan and bring it to a boil, lower the heat and simmer on medium heat until cooked or to speed up the process use a pressure cooker)
• Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and garnish it with fresh Coriander leaves...YUM

To Serve: Generously ladle the Soup in a bowl crack some Black pepper and enjoy it with a ciabatta or a slice of fresh baguette with a couple of drops of Olive oil over it.