By Genevieve Taylor

Published: Monday, 10 October 2022 at 12:00 am

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Hearty, wholesome soups make a perfect meal to fuel a walk – or simply provide a satisfying and healthy meal.

All of these recipes can be made ahead of time – and even frozen into portions, if you like. Then you can either reheat your soup at home and pack into a food flask, or take it on your walk chilled and ready for reheating. I love to take my trusty Trangia stove when walking. It heats up soups quickly and reliably, and packs away into a neat bag.

Best soup recipes

Country lentil soup

This hearty lentil soup, suitable for vegetarians and vegans, is easy to make and full of flavour. The secret of a good lentil soup is to be generous with the olive oil. This dish can serve as a main meal, accompanied by crusty bread and olives.

Warming vegetable and bacon chowder

This soup is packed full of healthy, filling vegetables that will fuel your winter walk – but it also tastes rather luxurious thanks to a dash of cream added at the end. Keep it vegetarian by omitting the bacon lardons and perhaps adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika in their place.

Garden soup with carrot leaf pesto

This simple, fresh summer recipe is the perfect dish for using up your chard and carrot leaves.

Greek butterbean and tomato soup

Based on a Greek bean dish called Gigantes Plaki, this soup is really hearty and filling but still manages to taste a bit summery – always welcome on a wintery walk. The feta and olive ‘sprinkles’ are optional but they are really easy to knock up and lift the whole thing to another level.

Bessara soup 

Bessara is a very simple Middle Eastern soup, fragrant with cumin and garlic and just a touch of chilli. It’s traditionally made from dried fava beans which are becoming easier to find – try online or large supermarkets – but you could use spilt peas instead. Both are easy to cook as they need no soaking and they are full of the sustaining goodness you would expect from pulses.

Parsnip and apple soup with cream and crispy sage

This easy, autumnal soup offers a hearty lunch for a blustery day. Parsnips make lovely smooth creamy textured soups and their sweet flavour is classic when teamed with the sharp Bramley apples.The dish freezes brilliantly, so is great for batch cooking and freezing in individual portions, minus the garnish.

French onion soup

Onions are high in fibre and packed with minerals and vitamins. They are thought to reduce anxiety and depression, and can help you sleep – make the most of this abundant vegetable with this delicious autumn soup recipe.

BBC Good Food

Rustic leek and potato soup recipe

This rustic soup recipe is quick and easy to make, and the perfect antidote to a cold winter day.

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Bread recipes

Soda bread roll

Soda bread is such an easy and satisfying bread to make – no vigorous kneading, no leaving it to prove and just a few minutes to mix it together. I’ve used khorasan flour in this recipe, an old variety of wheat that is becoming more readily available in the supermarkets. I like it because it’s full of fibre and protein but has a much lighter feel than wholemeal flour. Substitute with regular plain wholemeal flour if you prefer.

Sourdough bread 

Writer and baker Vanessa Kimbell shares her delicious sourdough loaf recipe with us. Get your Great British Bake Off on and try baking your own with this easy step-by-step bread making guide.

 

 

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