Clear Out Soup

I need to feed the kids, quick! I haven't been shopping in a while... I look in the fridge and cupboards...not much there.

I scan my memory for recipe ideas....How about soup? What about that Wagamama style noodle soup I made once? Oh, but I don't have any noodles. Hmmm...wait! What about the River Cottage Puy Lentil & Spinach Soup I made? Perhaps I could Frankenstein the two?!

My fridge clear out recipe is below but you could easily mix it up...

Veg : any combination you happen to have in your fridge...think about colour, cooking time etc. How about carrots (grated), mushrooms (finely sliced), sweetcorn, peas....there are lots of things that would work, just remember to slice them finely so that they cook quickly.
Stock : you don't have to use miso soup, a good quality chicken or vegetable stock would work well and if you want to preserve that oriental flavour, simply add some soy sauce.
Filler : I think of the lentils as the filler ; the protein and fiber that will help to fill you up and give you nutrition. If you don't have lentils, how about a tin of chickpeas or other beans. Although not as nutritionally complete, you could also use noodles, rice or pasta.
Flavour : the main flavours in this soup are coming from the miso, the garlic and the spring onions... you could also try ginger or fresh chillies.

Clear Out Soup
Serves 4

Ingredients (see above for more suggestions):
1 x sachet miso soup
750ml stock (I used Marigold vegetable stock)
250ml water
2 x cloves of garlic, finely minced or crushed
1 x yellow pepper, finely chopped
5-6 of spring onions, thinly sliced
1 x bunch of leaves such as chard, sliced
125g (half a pack) ready to eat puy lentils
freshly ground pepper
fresh parsley, chopped

Method:
Put the stock, water and miso soup in a large pan - bring to the boil.
Add all the other ingredients and bring back to the boil.
Boil rapidly for a couple of minutes until the veg is cooked.
Serve immediately!

See, I told you it was quick and easy!