Rachel Allen

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What Im up To This Month

I'm out and about this month promoting my latest cookbook, Bake, which is just out! It's a collection of delicious and easy recipes - including cakes and bakes, tarts and pies, quiches and casseroles and you can buy your copy now at amazon.co.uk

Choose from a tasty selection ...

January 2007

- Banana and Cinnamon Smoothie

- Nectarine, Berry and Plum Smoothie

- Chunky Mediterranean Pasta Soup

 

- Banana and Cinnamon Smoothie

Serves 4-6 Vegetarian

 

Ingredients
4 bananas
500ml (18 fl oz) natural yoghurt
2-4 tsp ground cinnamon

 

Method
Whiz all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor and serve.

 

 

- Nectarine, Berry and Plum Smoothie

Serves 4-6 Vegetarian

 

Ingredients
2 nectarines, stones removed
2 tbsp raspberries, blueberries or blackberries
2 plums, stones removed
400ml (14 fl oz) natural yoghurt
2 tbsp oats
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tbsp honey
10 ice cubes (optional)

 

Method
Whiz all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor, adding more honey or lemon juice if you prefer a sweeter or sharper flavour respectively.

 

- Chunky Mediterranean Pasta Soup

Serves 6

 

Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
250g (9oz) chorizo, chopped into 1cm (1/2 in) chunks
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes (or 900g (2lb) fresh tomatoes, peeled
900ml (1 ½ pints) chicken stock
2 tbsp chopped herbs - rosemary, thyme and parsley
pinch of sugar (optional)
250g (9oz) dried pasta, such as orzo or fusilli
150g (5oz) shredded spinach or whole baby spinach leaves

To serve:
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the chorizo and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chopped onion and garlic and season, then sweat over a gentle heat for 7-8 minutes, until soft. Add the tomatoes, stock and herbs, if necessary season again with salt, pepper and a good pinch of sugar and simmer with the lid on for another 10 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft.

Add the pasta and continue to simmer for another 6-10 minutes, stirring regularly or until the pasta is cooked. When you are ready to serve, drop in the spinach and boil for just 1 minute or until the spinach is wilted. Taste for seasoning. To serve, ladle the chunky soup into large warm bowls and sprinkle with some finely grated Parmesan and a drizzle of pesto.

 

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