David and Katherine Goodwin

As requested by David's mother, I've written up a couple of my random soup recipes to add to the existing one I had on here. Please bear in mind that I cook by feel and not quantity so I haven't checked the quantities well in these recipes. If it seems too much or too little of something, try it differently!

See:

Leek and potato soup

Carrot and Coriander Soup

Mediterranean Veg Soup

As usual, adjust quantities to taste as I estimate what I normally put in

Ingredients

• 2 medium potatoes
• 2 large leeks
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pint veggie stock or water and stock cube

1. Peel and chop the potatoes into small cubes (about 1cm cubed)
2. Trim leeks, and slice the top 2/3 of each into chunks
3. Gently fry 2/3 of the potato cubes, garlic and leek tops in a pan preheated with oil, until softened

Like the rest of my recipes, most of the amounts etc are estimates as I make up most things as I go along and they're rarely the same twice

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 4-5 medium carrots
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or crushed
• 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed (or similar quantity of ground coriander
• Good handful of chopped fresh coriander
• salt and pepper to taste
• Veggie stock or cube
• creme fraiche or cream to taste

1. Chop onion, garlic and carrots

When you see stories like this (bbc news) you have to wonder quite how the researchers managed to get funding.

How to make a good hot chocolate drink

Following a discussion in the office, and no obvious online material to back up my views, here's how to create hot chocolate. Well, at least, Galaxy hot chocolate, which is currently my favourite.

• Place a good 4-5 teaspoons of the powder in a mug (more is better)
• Pour a small amount of milk in
• Mix together the powder and milk with aim of making a thick paste/goo
• Pour in hot water
• Optionally add whipped cream
• Enjoy

It's that easy Paul

A weekend of travelling

This evening we arrived home after what seems like a weekend of driving (to me). Obviously we were in Stratford on Friday evening watching the Tempest, then on Sunday we drove up to Harrowgate to see D & Lois and then drove over to Preston to see a customer. Aside from the excessive driving, it went very well - D & Lois took us out for a great Indian meal on Sunday night, and we spent some time chatting before and afterwards.

The customer we visited today, seems very happy. As a result of which we'll be busy for the next few weeks or months, and I suspect I have some minor improvements to do on our php framework.

Gu Puds

Yesterday, after eating a really nice Kat-made duck breast and garlic potato gratin, we had a really nice chocolate cheesecake from the supermarket called 'Gu' - their website lists other stuff they do - which is sure to destroy our budget and figures.