Healthy, filling, and perfect for this time of year, this makes a great starter, lunch, or dinner served with warm crusty bread. The soup itself uses only 5 ingredients, is a doddle to make and is a cheap, hearty meal which can keep you going for a few days if you make a big batch. I jazzed ours up with a dollop of creme fraiche on the top, some extra mint leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, but you could use sour cream, a drizzle of double cream or even add some pancetta croutons if you like.

If you need a healthy, cleansing recipe after the rich indulgence of the festive period, then look no further than my recipe for chicken noodle soup. This is a budget friendly, tasty meal which is also great for clearing out your fridge.