Well, Blimey!

I'm feeling a bit down this morning, dear friends, having stepped on the scale this morning and not liking what I saw. Ok, last week I knew the extra couple of pounds were due to hormones & I accepted that, but why haven't they all fallen off yet? I'm at 164.4, still a pound up from my last weigh-in. I had really hoped that with all of my hard work and staying really OP I would've lost something.

I'm not giving up but that English muffin in the kitchen sure looks tempting....



No, not that one! But, hmmm...if I want Nigella's luscious curves perhaps I should whip up one of her dishes tonight? Something special to soothe my wounded spirit but still On Program..healthy yet comforting...Minestrone Soup seems like the perfect fix for this dreary day! All I've got to do is substitute Shirataki noodles for my portion, perfect! The morning is looking brighter already!

Nigella Lawson's Minestrone Soup

Serving Size : serves 4-6 as a main and 8-12 as a starter

INGREDIENTS

1 Onion finely chopped
1 clove of Garlic crushed/finely chopped
2 sticks Celery, finely sliced
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 14oz tin chopped Tomatoes
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 tsp dried Oregano
1 tsp dried Basil
1/4 tsp dried Rosemary
3oz Red Pepper, finely diced
3oz Green Pepper, finely diced
3oz Carrot, finely diced,
3oz Courgette, finely diced
1 1/2 pts Stock
2 tbsp Tomato Puree
1oz Spaghetti, snapped into 1cm lengths
1 tsp Salt
1 dessertspoon Soy Sauce
Black Pepper
Parsley to garnish

METHOD

1. Gently fry the onion, garlic and celery in the olive oil in a large pan for 10mins until soft.
2. Add the tomatoes, herbs, vegetables, stock and tomato puree.
3. Bring to the boil and simmer, covered for 40mins.
4. Add the spaghetti, salt, soy sauce and pepper and simmer, uncovered for 15mins.
5. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.
ADDITIONAL INFO

This soup keeps for several days in the fridge (if there's any left!), it also freezes and travels well. Children absolutely love it!!