No. 533Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup

Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

This soup is thick enough to almost be a stew, a completely satisfying bowl on a chilly rainy night No. 533 in the Collection–Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup– the newest Little Jewel Recipe.

SPICY LENTIL SOUP

I first brought you this recipe many years ago on the blog. It was complete with not so great food photos, early in my food photography days. Since then I have made it for years and just cooked up a pot of soup the other day and I wanted to share the evolution of the recipe.

As I recounted in my first post, the visit to Montcomb’s in Belgravia was magical. “As we descended down the dark, narrow stairs directly off a street in the shiny Belgravia district of London; this was not looking promising. We were there on a quest for a proper meal in London, intrigued, but not hopeful, we reached the bottom of the stairs facing a dark wooden door; down here we were instructed from the pub above, we would find the restaurant. We had come this far, so we guardedly opened the door.”  What commenced is shown here in my original post. Entering this beautiful restaurant, what a surprise. A true story!

Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

As far as food memories, this was really a great one. The soup has evolved over the years, with a few changes. I checked and it is no longer on Montcomb’s menu although the restaurant still is going strong. The soup has evolved in my kitchen over the years. The basic ingredients stay the same but I have made the soup a bit chunkier than the original, almost a stew.  I have also a few options noted regarding the sausage and seasonings, see COOK’S NOTES in the recipe.

Cozy up with a bowl of Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup – another Little Jewel from the Collection.

 

 

No. 513Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Pappa al Pomodoro

Pappa al Pomodoro | BijouxsLittle Jewels

This simple soup is my year-round favorite, often made with canned San Marzano tomatoes when the fresh tomatoes disappear. Pappa al Pomodoro is a true Little Jewel.

THE RIVER CAFE

One of my favorite soups, hand down. I first tried this Italian classic in, of all places, London at the famed Rogers and Gray restaurant the River Cafe. I can not define the simplicity of this classic Tuscan Soup, but the flavor of that journey remains. This is really what Italian rustic cuisine is all about.

TOMATO & BREAD SOUP

What could be more basic that tomatoes, garlic and olive oil, built into a satisfying soup using day-old rustic bread. Italian genius. Tomatoes, fresh or canned, are simmered with garlic and olive oil, then day old rustic bread is added at the end to create an amazing bowl of soup. I think this about as close as food served in Italian homes.

SIMPLE AND RUSTIC

Chefs Roger and Gray created a window into Italian cuisine. The restaurant and their classic cookbook “Italain Country Cookbook” 1995 is one every home cook needs to have on their shelf. More than just a cookbook is speaks to a way of life and beautiful cooking in Italy. Nothing goes to waste.

 

No. 498Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup & Parmesan Toast

ROASTED HEIRLOOM TOMATO SOUP & PARMESAN TOAST | Bijouxs Little Jewels

The gray days of late winter are all about California’s fickle weather. Today it’s rainy and cold, even snow on our local mountains. Staying present my senses are telling me soup. Classic tomato soup takes on a Italian profile–Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup with Parmesan Toast is a comforting little jewel. Continue reading Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup & Parmesan Toast