The hardest thing about this soup was knowing what to call it!! What’s a collective noun for lentils, pulses, beans and peas?? If you’ve got any better ideas for a name for this soup then please let me know.

In the meantime, rustle some up, cozy down with a good book and enjoy a bowl of this filling, warming soup (or broth??)

Serves 4.

Low calorie cooking spray
100g bacon medallions, chopped
150g celery, chopped
100g onion, chopped
200g carrots, chopped
2 tsp Lazy Garlic
300g dried soup mix*
1 ltr chicken stock

salt and black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley to serve

pre-soak the soup mix if necessary. I used Waitrose Soup Mix, a mix of pearl barley, haricot beans, yellow split peas, green split peas, red split lentils, marrowfat peas and brown rice which needs an overnight soak in cold water.

Spray a large pan with cooking spray over medium-high heat and add the bacon, cooking until browned. Remove and set aside.

Spray the pan with a little more spray, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and sauté until nicely softened.

Add the drained Soup Mix and stock and bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and let simmer for about 30-35 minutes.

Add the bacon back in for the last 10 minutes of cooking time, taste and season and then serve with a scattering of parsley on top.