GARLIC SOUP

[Wellie]

I woke up about 2.30 this morning with such a sore throat I could hardly swallow, and today I just can't stop sneezing, and I'm feeling really sorry for myself, so I decided it was time to make some Garlic Soup.....:

4 tblsps. olive oil
5 whole garlic bulbs, cut in half crossways
25g flour
1.5 litres hot water
4 sprigs thyme
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
100g thin vermicelli (I haven't got any, so I won't)
large bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Serves 6

Heat oven to Gas 1 (140c)
Drizzle oil in oven-proof pan and put in halved garlic bulbs. Roast for about an hour until soft & golden.
Remove it from oven then, and squeeze out the soft buttery flesh when cool enough to do so (!) into the same pan, with all the juices, and sort of mash together.

Over a medium heat, mix in the flour so it absorbs the oil and makes 'a roux'.
Slowly pour in the hot water, stirring constantly.
Add the thyme and seasoning and simmer for 20 mins.

Remove from the heat, discard the thyme stalks, and (using a hand held blender), blend until smooth.
Return to the heat, add the vermicelli and cook for a further 3 mins.
Add the parsley just before serving.

(Incidentally, because we're supposed to be in for a widespread frost tonight, I harvested all my Florence Fennel Bulbs, which are 'ready' anyway, and I'm going to use the slightly pock-marked outer layers of the bulbs in the soup to add extra flavour, instead of the vermicelli...)

Mmm.... I can feel my cold 'quivvering' as I type !

Maybe best to have this soup leading up to a weekend when you're not meeting lots of people. I suspect the garlic will still be ooozing out of your paws DAYS or WEEKS later !!

[Colin_M]

Nice one Wellie. Sounds like a thoughtfully composed recipe and even if it doesn't cure your cold, it should warm your heart.

I suspect the garlic will still be ooozing out of your paws DAYS or WEEKS later !!

I think it's only Tigger that has to worry about their paws..... Pedantic, moi?!


Colin

[Jenny Green]

Oooh Wellie, can I come and live with you and have you feed me? You should open a restaurant, really.

[Wellie]

No, it's NOT this months' dilebret mistook Colin... !

Jenny. I'm at a complete loss as to what to call you now...! and yes, you're MOST welcome. Actually, I used to run a pub/restaurant, which is where Trousers and myself first met (aahh..) but I never got to do much of the cooking.
Luckily, the cat has just returned empty-handed from her woodland walk, so mouse is thankfully, 'off' tomorrow's menu for the second day running !
(I'm not actually UP this late, I've just GOT up, and am nursing a rather large Irish Whiskey, honey and lemon hot toddy because I feel so appallingly lousy and can't sleep!) and actually, either the toddy or the forum is taking my mind off it)

[Jenny Green]

Hope you're feeling better now Wellie.
You can call me Jenny.
Mmmm. I have an idea for a new TV series...Wellie the Gardener/Cook. Come watch Trousers munch delicious peaches while Wellie runs round the house with her top pulled over her head.

[Wellie]

Hi JENNY !

On reflection, I'm sure you'd agree that talking about Trousers munching on my delicious peaches and me running round the house with my top pulled up over my head was not, in any shape of form, a well thought out sentence...
A lively TV programme maybe, and I've no doubt the ratings would be quite high...
but probably better that we all stick to doing our day jobs for now, eh ?!

You can tell I'm feeling better now, no?

[Johnboy]

Oh Wellie,
What a wonderful command of our wonderful language you have.
"Trousers munching on my delicious peaches and me running round the house with my top pulled up over my head was not, in any shape of form, a well thought out sentence..."
Poetry, pure poetry!! The words so apt that
the mind boggles. My thoughts into words. How clever of you!!!
JB.

[Jenny Green]

Hey Wellie, YOU were the one talking about Trousers munching on YOUR delicious peaches. (I thought of saying that but didn't dare)