The Ultimate Winter Warmer - Chorizo Soup

A hearty soup served with a side of crusty bread. It's the ultimate winter warmer. The addition of chorizo adds a depth of smokey, well spiced flavour which, coupled with the diced tomatoes, seems like a match made in heaven.

Romantic jargon translation: It’s got a spicy sausage in it and it’s bloody delicious!

One chorizo sausage will cost you around $3 or less from the supermarket deli (so don't be put off by the high per kg price) but if you're in Sydney, I recommend checking out your local for a good smallgoods producer. You will pay a tiny bit more but, trust me, sooo worth it.

Chorizo Soup

Total cost about $6

Makes 4 generous adult servings

---Ingredients--- 

2 tsp Oil

1 Chorizo Sausage, diced

1 Brown Onion, diced

2 medium Carrots, diced

3 Celery Sticks, diced

2x400g cans Diced Tomatoes

1 cup Chicken Stock

(Stock powder in water is a suitable substitute)

2 teaspoons Beef Stock Powder

½ cup Dried Red Lentils

1 cup Water

Green Beans optional*

---Method--- 

•In a large, heavy based pot, heat oil on high, add chorizo and onion and stir for 1 minute before adding carrot and celery. Bring heat down to medium and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes.

Stove top

•Pour in canned tomatoes, stocks, lentils (beans) and simmer for 2 hours.

Slowcooker

•Place all ingredients in slowcooker, cook on high 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours.

*The inclusion of green beans will neither add or subtract from the flavour. I usually add them if I have some on hand for a nice pop of colour and the extra vege.