Just back from filming two scenes in the second series of Poldark on location in deepest Wiltshire.
Footwarmers supplied for the long day in court–and they work!
Didn’t make the Reverend Doctor Halse any more warm-hearted–mean old thing–though he didn’t have it all his own way–Francis and Ross see to that!
Weary and happy to be home.
Keen NOT to go shopping for lunch this morning!
Look in the fridge and find half a cabbage and half a large leek, a couple of carrots and celery stalks–battuto/sofrito!*
Some half-cooked fresh tomatoes are in there too–preserved under a film of olive oil.
A large jar of white beans is on the shelf in the larder.
Eureka!
Enough to make a reduced version of the recipe reproduced below.
White Bean Soup with Cabbage from Healthy Eating for Life
An autumn/winter soup this–with a big presence.
Adapted from Leslie Forbes’ book: A Table in Tuscany.
for 4
2 carrots--chopped small
2 sticks of celery–chopped small
2 leeks–cleaned and chopped small
6 tbsp olive oil
3/4 tinned tomatoes–chopped up with their liquid
A sprig of fresh thyme
1 large garlic clove–pulped
Half a green cabbage–stem removed and shredded
The other half of the cabbage shredded thinly–this for a topping (see below)
1 tbsp olive oil
About 800gms/24oz cooked white beans–canned or bottled or dried, soaked and cooked (see p?), drained but their liquid retained
1 pint/500ml stock–I use organic vegetable stock cubes
Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sweat the celery, leeks and carrots until they are tender–about twenty minutes.
Mix in the tomatoes, garlic and thyme and let them cook on for five minutes.
Add the cabbage, season with salt and pepper and cook on for ten minutes.
Purée three-quarters of the beans in a mixer with a little of their liquid.
Add the bean water and the bean purée to the soup and stir it all together.
Cook this thick mix for an hour–stirring it regularly to stop it sticking and burning.
Add a little of the stock each time you stir it.
This is meant to be a thick soup–up to you how loose you make it–just be careful not to dilute the depth of taste.
While the soup cooks on sauté the rest of the cabbage to serve as a topping when you present the soup.
Serve hot with swirls of the best olive oil you have.
*A battuto or sofrito is a flavor-base of finely chopped raw ingredients. Battuto is a derivative of the Italian, battere, which means ‘to strike,’and describes the a chef’s knife chopping on a cutting board.
Robin Ellis 
Hi Robin
Delighted to hear you have been making more Poldark episodes. Soup looks delish.
Great photo – you are still the most handsome and dashing one, by far. You look great in those clothes.
Robin,
Allow me to concur with Poppet. I found I could only watch your scenes in the new series.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and to Meredith.
Best,
Marla
Super soup, which, as it popped up on my e-mail, diverted my attention away from attempting to fill in a Great Western Railway delay compensation form. Much more satisfying.
It’s always such a treat to see what you’re cooking! In this case, I happen to have most all of the ingredients at hand for a white bean soup, some are already cooked and ready to toss in the pot. (I was wondering what else I could do with those shredded and sauteed brussel sprouts that would appeal – this soup is it!)
As an aside, we horse folk in colder US climates also swear by foot/toe and hand warmers (as do skiers) – they DO work!
Can’t wait to see the new Poldark episodes, but in the meantime, I’ll give this soup a go!
Thank you for this post Robin. I will definitely be using it over Christmas whilst the clan are all back together for a few days.
I hope you and Meredith have a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Ros
Thanks, Ros and the same to you.
Thank you. This is perfect for Los Angeles’ brisk, cold (30+*F) day. Bon appetit!
I just love cabbage in soup. It adds so much. Have to try this one but I’ll probably double the cabbage.
Great soup recipe! Will try it out here in New England! BTW, I’m an old fan of the original Poldark but I am also enjoying the new one thanks in part to the new filming technology and the superb acting of the new cast. And it’s wonderful to see you again in there, albeit in a rather unpleasant character!
Happy Holidays to you and your wife!
I am very glad to hear that you will be returning to Poldark. It was fun seeing you on Poldark this past Summer.
Oh, my…..I loved everything in your recipe except Cabbage. I am the worst person for liking vegetables. Is cabbage a necessity?
Thanks, Cecilia.
As the song says, “Somewhere in my youth and childhood, I must have done something good.” My day so far: no line at the post office; no charge for a cup of coffee at my favorite cafe; and now this yummy-sounding recipe (which will get used in the next few days!). I think I should go buy a lottery ticket. 🙂
Merry Christmas, Robin–and a happy, healthy 2016.
Thank you, Cynthia and the same to you.
Looks like a nice soup on a damp cold day!….with some fresh crusty loaf of bread.
Great photo! Does this mean that Dr Halse appears without a wig this time round?
I made this soup from your book and it is very good. Just perfect for December.
Have a wonderful Christmas and let us hope that 2016 is a safer year in our adopted country than 2015 has been.
Best wishes to you both
Tina
Thanks, Tina and the same to you.
It looks very tasty .. and just what is needed (by me at least) to undo all the other food over Christmas. Very healthy also. If l am going to have soup it has to be a cross between soup and a meal, in Dutch it’s called a “maaltijd” soup, just like this one. Have a merry Christmas (not too merry if you know what l mean). Looking forward to seeing Poldark on tele again, a wonderful story, the BBC do drama so well, even we here in Amsterdam think so.
Thanks, Ingrid and same to you in the Venice of the north!
That looks so delicious! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Donna
Thanks and you too, Donna.
Don’t you just love use-it-up meals? I’m a big fan, especially given that our closest shop is a 20 minute walk away, which is fine in the summer but not so much during our Alpine winters.
Did you know you can use aquafaba (the liquid from the beans) as an egg replacer too? If you whisk it up and add a bit of sugar, it makes fantastic meringues. I’m about to use it to make some vegan chocolate mousse actually. And no, it doesn’t taste ‘beany’ when it’s cooked!
Thank you for sharing this recipe – it’s always good to have an arsenal of chunky soup receipts for the cold weather.
Wishing you, Meredith, and the mogs a safe, warm, and joyous festive season!
Thanks, Nicole and we send you the same.
Robin this looks so good warming and colourful just what’s needed, it’s horrible here in Tyldesley damp and glum but not cold, but there are others in a worst state in Cumbria and the Lakes.
So the Rev.gets bested by Ross and Francis does he, look forward to seeing that, like the photo looking good Robin.Glad to here they kept your toes warm.
Nothing worst than cold feet.
Best wishes to Meredith and you for a very happy Christmas and New Year.
Thanks Elaine–stay warm up there and Season’s Greetings.
Sounds perfect for frigid, snow-covered Santa Fe, NM! I’ll make a batch this weekend.
I always look forward to new posts from Lautrec. Especially with those having pictures.
Wishing you and Meredith a warm, happy Holiday Season,
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy and the same to you.
This looks delicious. Some of my favorite foods are in it. I can’t wait to make it.
Hi Robin,
That soup looks lovely!
My son and I often cook together . Some nights we get home from work and just raid the fridge, throwing everything from leftovers , cold cuts and ends of veggies into one pot and in a very short time have a decent dinner on the table. My type of cooking!
Hope you and Meredith and the cats have a wonderful Christmas.
In peace and love, Heth xx
Thank you, Heth.
The soup was delicious, especially on a cold, rainy day. I added leftover crispy roasted kale, and that made it taste even better. Thank you for the healthy recipes, and the lovely cat pictures.
What a good idea, Jayne–I shall try it.
Sending you and Meredith all Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year 2016!!!!
Thanks, Heidi and the same to you!
Oh Robin! How are you and Meredith? This is Rosaria from Italy! My husband and me, we have just finished a delicious chick peas soup! The recipe you have posted is very similar to the one we cook Here at home!!!! We are so happy you cook Italian way! best wishes For a Merry Christmas to you and Meredith wherever you are! Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo! Rosaria and Giuseppe
Oh Robin!!! This is Rosaria from Italy! My husband and me, we have just had a delicious chick peas soup! The recipe you have posted is very similar to the one we cook here at home!!! We are very glad to see that you cook Italian way!!!! We wish you and Meredith a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year wherever you are!!!! Buon Natale e Felice anno nuovo! Rosaria and Giuseppe
Oh Robin!!! This is Rosaria from Italy! My husband and me, we have had a delicious chick peas soup at lunchtime! The recipe you have posted is very similar to the one we prepare here at home! We are very glad to see you cook Italian!!!! we wish you and Meredith a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo! Rosaria and Giuseppe
oh Robin!!! This is Rosaria from Italy!!!! I’ve been trying to write to you for two days|!I wanted to tell you about a delicious chick soup my husband Giuseppe made Yesterday and that we are glad to see that you cook Italian way! Giuseppe and me, we want to wish you and Meredith a Merry Christmas and a happy 2016 full of health and ….recipes!!!!!
Oh Robin!!!!! This is Rosaria from Italy ! My husband Giuseppe and I want to wish you and Meredith a Merry Christmas and a happy new year full of health and….recipes!!! See you soon!!!
Thank you, Rosaria–and good wishes to you and Guiseppe too.
What is your secret ingredient for the chickpea soup?!
Sweating the winter again ’round here in NY.
Just came in to check what’s on the fine menu.
The ‘chefette’ here will love to be busy inside again making these tasty meals. Each time it’s been a hit on the plates. Thanks.