Christmas in July is the time to indulge in warm winter Christmas dishes you may have skipped in the summer heat of December. This year, start off your Christmas in July celebrations with a creamy winter soup to warm up your belly.
Chestnut, Bacon and Parsnip Soup – You’ll Need:
– 4 chopped rashers of bacon
– Drizzle of olive oil
– 1 chopped onion
– 1 crushed garlic clove
– 6 peeled and chopped parsnips
– 1 chicken stock cube
– 400ml milk
– Leaves from 4 thyme sprigs
– 200g cooked and chopped chestnuts
1. Fry the rashers of bacon in the oil until crisp. Scoop out half the bacon and set aside until later. Add the onion and garlic to the pan, stirring until tender, then add the parsnips. Cook for another 5 mins, then crumble in the chicken stock cube.
2. Add the milk, 600ml water, the thyme and chestnuts. Cover and simmer for 30 mins until the parsnip is tender.
3. Blitz with a hand blender, then season to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with the reserved bacon. Serve with crusty bread.
Creamy Pumpkin and Lentil Soup – You’ll Need:
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 2 chopped onions
– 2 chopped garlic cloves
– 800g chopped pumpkin
– 100g split red lentils
– ½ small pack of thyme
– 1L hot vegetable stock
– Pinch of salt and sugar
– 50g crème fraiche
1. Heat the oil in a large pan. Fry the onions until softened and starting to turn golden. Stir in the garlic, pumpkin flesh, lentils and thyme, then pour in the hot stock. Season, cover and simmer for 20-25 mins until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
2. Meanwhile, wash the pumpkin seeds. Remove any flesh still clinging to them, then dry them with kitchen paper. Heat the 1 tsp oil in a non-stick pan and fry the seeds until they start to jump and pop. Stir frequently, but cover the pan in between to keep them in it. When the seeds look nutty and toasted, add a sprinkling of salt and a pinch of sugar, and stir well.
3. Whizz the cooked pumpkin mixture with a hand blender or in a food processor until smooth, then add the crème fraîche and whizz again. Taste for seasoning.
4. Serve with a spoonful of crème fraîche, a few thyme leaves and the toasted seeds scattered on top.
For more creative Christmas cooking ideas check out our Pinterest page!
Recipes: BBC Good Food