Author Archives: BigSouper

Black Bean Soup

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Preciosa sopa de frijoles!

I loved our trip to Mexico a few years back and loved the soup I had there. For this I like to add some Doritos or Tortilla’s and cheese to the soup at the end. I also occasionally add a 2nd can of beans to make it thicker.

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 600 (150 calories per serving)  (this will be more if you add the extra beans, tortillas and cheese. About 300 to 400 calories more)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil (other types of oil will do)
  • 2 garlic clove (or 2 squeezes from a tube)
  • 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
  • 1 can of black beans (I like Old El Paso black beans, use 2  tins for a thicker soup)
  • 2 medium onions
  • 1 and a 1/2 tablespoons of fresh coriander (1/2 for the Soup and 1 for the garnish)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 knorr chicken or vegetable stock pot or equivalents
  • Add hot water to (level 1 in the soupmaker the lower one) or to cover the contents

Method:

  • Put all ingredients in the soup maker and set to chunky or smooth.
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so then blend when done until chunky or smooth.
  • For a thinner soup add more water, for a thicker soup add another can of beans or add less water.
  • Optional – Cheese and Doritos or Tortilla’s to taste for sprinkling over the soup along with the coriander before serving.

Walking Football

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Went to play walking football again with the Staines Town Strollers tonight. It was my second run out and I started well after warming up for a bit.

Then I suffered a thigh strain! Out for at least two weeks, so my advice is to take it easy and build up some muscle strength by more Walking. So out tonight and tomorrow to stop my left thigh from seizing up.

Going to make Black Bean Soup for dinner tonight to cheer myself up.

My Brand New Blog

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I don’t like a lot of things, its just my age. However I really don’t like diets, dieting or the whole dieting industry thing. I also don’t like the Gyms or exercise scene. That whole ethos of fanaticism, competition and comparison is not me.

So in answer to several problems I was experiencing I started to make soup, so that I could simply get more vegetables into my diet. However food alone does not help but its a great base to start from, so to support this drive I started to walk three or times a week, took up Tai Chi as well as Walking football.

I will add recipe’s over time and various updates about my progress, food and exercise. I hope you will follow my blog and still feel that its all to play for.

My Everyday Soup

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While my family prepares for Halloween I am preparing my soup for the following day. As we are busy I revert to my everyday classic soup.

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 474 to 378 (118 to 94.5 calories per serving – 378 is using a small punnet of cherry tomatoes)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil (other types of oil will do)
  • 1 or 2 splashes of Worcester sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar (optional)
  • 1 punnet of small tomatoes or 6 large tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 stick of celery
  • 1 medium stick of leek
  • 1 peeled medium onion (or 1 large if you like onion) 
  • 1 garlic clove (or 1 squeeze from a tube)
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (I like the chilli one so I use a teaspoon)
  • 1 table spoon of mixed herbs
  • 2 teaspoons of bouillon
  • 1 Knorr Beef or Vegetable stock pot or equivalents
  • Add hot water to (level 2 in soupmaker) or to cover the vegetables

Method:

  • Put all ingredients in the soup maker and set to smooth.
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so then blend when done untill smooth.
  • For a thinner soup add more water, for a thicker soup add less water.

Big Pete’s Broccoli Soup

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This is a recipe I used when my wife decided I liked Broccoli. We had two in the fridge and some other bits and pieces so I made this….

Serves: 4

Approximate Calories: 477 to 557 (119 to 144 calories per serving – 557 is with the milk added)

Ingredients

  • 1 table spoon of rapeseed oil (other types of oil will do)
  • 2 broccoli heads
  • 1 peeled medium potato
  • 2 peeled medium onions (or 1 large) 
  • 1 garlic clove (or 1 squeeze from a tube)
  • A pinch of Salt & pepper
  • 2 teaspoons of bouillon
  • 1 Knorr vegetable stock pot or equivalent
  • Add hot water to (level 2 in soupmaker) or to cover the vegetables

Method:

  • Put all ingredients in the soupmaker set to smooth. Add skimmed milk if required then whizz twice extra.
  • Alternatively put all of the ingredients into the pan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minute’s or so then blend when done till smooth.
  • For a thinner soup add more water, for a thicker soup add less water.
  • In this recipe you could add some milk instead more water for a creamier soup.