Winter is here and it’s most definitely time for soup. This is my mum’s recipe for carrot and tomato soup and a favourite of mine growing up.

I remembered it a year or so ago and started making it again. It is delicious, creamy, comforting and takes no time at all to make.

On boxing day, I made it with the leftover roasted carrots (never thought to do that before!) They usually get thrown into the traditional bubble and squeak. I have to say as much as I love the latter this was a bit more soothing on the stomach after a day of non stop eating.

Time – 1 hour

Serves – approximately 6 servings

Utensils – Casserole pot or saucepan with a lid, knife, blender.

Ingredients

1 large onion – roughly chopped

400g carrots – peeled and roughly chopped

1 sweet red pepper (optional) – roughly chopped

1 stick celery – roughly chopped

1 can plum or chopped tomatoes

100ml olive oil

2 tsp salt

1/2 – 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika

1 litre of water

Black pepper

Method

Add the oil to your pot, place on a low heat. Add the onion, combine well with the oil and let them simmer gently, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes until translucent.

Add the celery to the pot and cook for a few more minutes. Add the carrots, the sweet pepper if using, the paprika and salt and combine well, stirring for a few more minutes.

Increase the heat to medium and add the tomatoes. Stir through the tomatoes, cooking them down by mashing with a wooden spoon for 5 minutes making sure the tomatoes do not catch and burn.

Add the water to the pan, bring to the boil and then turn down to a low simmer. Put the lid on the pan and cook for approximately 30 minutes.

Check the carrots are very soft and then blend the soup. Taste for salt. If it is a little thick, add a little more water to get to your favoured consistency.

Serve with plenty of black pepper, a nice wintery salad (mine as pictured is orange, beetroot and mint) and plenty of good bread! A dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream on top of the soup is optional but recommended.