Spicy Lentil Soup - Marks & Spencer

I'm half way through the week and I'm feeling good. The lunchtime soup stretch is really working. I'm getting all the goodness, feeling full, and I haven't felt bloated in 2 weeks now! Soup is my new best friend! 

Today I have chosen a tub of Marks & Spencer's finest fresh soups. Every time I've had one from their fresh range i haven't been disappointed... So there's still a chance it could happen. There are so many to chose from, but I decided to go for spicy lentil and I'm rather excited! I love spice and I love lentils, what could possibly go wrong? 

The verdict:

Yet again good old M&S has proven to be a success! 

This wonderful soup is not only full of lentils but it's full of chunky vegetables. It's a perfectly balanced cross between an Indian dhal and a traditional soup. The spice is subtle but still has a kick, it's a great introduction to spice for someone slightly weary of it. 

My only issue with this soup is the portion size. I'm sure I have said it before but it's just too much in in tub. It contains 2 portions, so if you buy one for lunch then you have to consume your second portion within 2 days. For some people that might be ok but for me I like variety. Lunchtime is special, it's precious time, so I like to make the most of it and keep excitement in my life and constantly try different things. 

Souper rating: 4.5 out of 5 - if there was an opportunity to be a soup ambassador for Marks and Sparks I would be first in the queue for the job! 

Beef Broth Soup - Heinz

Soup soup soup! Some people think I'm mad just eating soup everyday, but I just don't see the madness, maybe because I'm mad already, or maybe it's just because I'm mad about soup. It's all too much madness!!

Today's souper treat was bought whilst I was en route to work, from a Tesco express. I was really surprised by what they had to offer, there was such limited stock. Yet right opposite there was rows and rows of every kind of crisp you could imagine. I know in the grand scheme of things crisps are probably a lot more popular than soup, but surely that's because the demure soup isn't given the chance it deserves... Never the less I had a few to choose from. The only brand on offer was Heinz, the original canned soup provider. I wasn't over enthralled by this as I was hoping to try something different today. Oh well Heinz it is! I chose a beef broth, I know this is a broth but it says soup on the can too. I don't really know the difference between the two so I turned to good, old, reliable Wiki;

Broth is a liquid food preparation, typically consisting of water, in which bones, meat, fish, cereal grains, or vegetables have been simmered.^[1] Broth is used as a basis for other edible liquids such as soup, gravy, or sauce. It can be eaten alone or with garnish. If other ingredients are used, such as rice, pearl barley or oats, it is then generally called soup.

So there you have it. Soup started off life as a broth. Thank the Lord for broth! 

The verdict:

Heinz you did it again! Nom! 

This turned out to be a great lunch, this wonderfully warming broup (broth/soup) has proved it will keep the wolves from the door until dinner time. 

It had a fantastic rich flavour, with tasty pieces of carrot and potato, perfectly seasoned. You can really tasty the broth too, there isn't chunks of beef but that's not what I was expecting. What I was expecting is just what I got. A bold beefy flavour that developed with every mouthful. To top it all off the presence of the notorious pearl barley was actually a pleasant touch. Sometimes I find pearl barley can be really starchy and turn squidgy, or taste like you are having sugar puffs, but just the puffs, not the sugar. 

Souper rating: 4 out of 5 - Good soup, I just think there's a little to many of those puffy barley things. Thanks again Heinz! 

Spring Vegetable Soup - Heinz

Back to the daily grind! And to be fair to Monday, I'm feeling pretty positive about the week ahead. I'm still on the fitness train and its looking good. I managed to control myself and not over indulge too much on the weekend, granted I ate 4 slices of pizza but at least it wasn't a whole one for once. 

Moving on from that misshap, I've started my day with a tasty protein shake... Mmmm... So now I'm hank marvin! (Starving). Today I was pretty rushed and forgot to bring lunch with me to work, luckily a friend at work saved the day and gave me a can of Heinz spring vegetable soup. I can't say I have ever tired or heard of this flavour of soup and seeing as we are entering spring (I think and hope) it would be rude not to give it a go.

The verdict:

Yum yum in my Tum! This was a pleasant surprise. It was full of carrots, swede and peas, it was vegtastic! It has a very delicate flavour, perfectly seasoned, with the added extra of rice. The rice really added to the flavour, it was that sometimes over powering basmati rice, it was more subtle, kind of like a risotto rice. It was warming and wholesome, a real tasty treat for a Monday lunch time.

Souper rating: 5 out of 5 - I really can't find fault with this soup. Like paint, it's done exactly what it said on the tin. Thanks again Heinz! 

Chicken Noodle Soup - Weight Watchers

One more day to go till the wonderful weekend arrives, and with fitness still in the fore front of my mind I'm doing good. My mood is temperamental but I guess that's the lack of sweets, cakes and carbs, I feel good for it. Honest. I think.

Anyway lunch time! I'm starving!!! I have decided to go for a chicken and noodle weight watchers Heinz special. I always see this brand and wonder if these specially designed products are really that good for people watching there weight. Do they actually help? Well my question was soon answered by none other than my mum. She did the weight watchers plan, which involves points counting and eating from the weight watchers range. She even had a cook book that had some nice recipes. It actually worked for her she lost a fair bit of weight just by following their rules. Me on the other hand, I don't like rules, I would just deviate and eat crap in protest. I'm not sure this soup will end well, but I'm going to give it a try, what's the worst that could happen? 

The verdict:

What was my mum thinking?! This is madness!! It's not soup, it's water with mini jellied eels squirming around in it. It was so off putting I couldn't eat it all. Thank god for wholemeal pitta breads! 

It was like pure water with little to no seasoning, there was a couple of bits of token sweet corn too, they had more taste than anything else in that soup.

I just don't get it, why make a soup that is tasteless and has little to no substance? Especially in this day and age where we have Jamie Oliver and co, telling us how we can eat healthy and cook food with out bursting the bank.

Souper rating: 0.5 out of 5 - This will not only help you lose weight, but it may make you feel slightly depressed. Sorry weight watchers, please just add a little salt.  

Chickpea & Spinach Soup - M NuMe (Morrisons)

Happy hump day! Only half way to go!
For some reason I keep thinking it's Thursday and then realising its not, and then feel absolutely devastated... can you tell I've run out of enthusiasm this week?
Anyways, its not so bad it's lunch time and i'm ready for my soup. I ventured to the local Morrisons with a friend from work. I made a beeline for the canned soup aisle, but was then swayed by the smell of fresh bread baking away, so I had to make a mini detour to fantasize and drool over the freshly baked treats that taunt me... back on the soup mission!
I never realised how many soup varieties are actually out there, there's just so much choice. I decided to pick one from a brand I had never heard of before, I chose a can of Chickpea & Spinach Soup - M NuMe... M NuMe? Not sure about the name to be honest, feels like the branding guys set themselves high expectations with this one. NuMe = new me? Really? Am I actually going to be a new person after eating this soup? Well I'm going to give it a try and if I don't turn into a rich princess I want my money back!

The verdict:

So I'm not a princess and my pocket is 45 pence lighter. BUT, I am full and pleasantly satisfied. This soup is pretty good, not only is it 1 of your 5 a day, but its packed with goodness and stays true to its packaging selling point, its healthy and full of tasty ingredients. As for the packaging, it turns out that the M in the NuMe brand is actually Morrisons! It's really hard to tell at a first glance, it makes me question there branding team though, why cover up that this is in fact a Morrsions own soup? weird...

At first I thought this would taste like a Indian chana massala curry, It had the consistency and look of one. The taste then reigned my view in a little, it has a Indian taste to it, but in a good way its not over powering. It tastes really healthy and in my book that's a good start to a good soup. My only issue with this soup is the consistency, at first it looked nice and stodgy, but then after the 2 and half minute heat up in the microwave it was quite runny. I didn't have a big issue with this as it is a soup and that's how soups generally are. I just felt it need a bit more thickness to it, a bit more gloop, and I mean good gloop, not the kind you get congealed on top of last nights curry left overs. 

Souper rating: 4 out of 5 - Morrisons you did good. Not only did you create a NEW tasty soup, but a whole newly branded range. I can't wait to see whats to come!

Texan Four Bean Chilli Soup - Glorious!

It's Tuesday and the week is going pretty well thankfully. I've taken yesterdays motivation and gone with it! I'm back on the fitness wagon and still trying to think thin... well less fat.

To go with this upbeat, positive drive I currently have, I have chosen to go for a Glorious! soup. I haven't tried this range before, but I was immediately sold by the unusual flavours they have on offer. They range from Singapore crushed tomato to Cuban creamed corn, to a New England butternut squash soup. These are possibly the most inventive soups I have ever heard of, they all have such fun names and sound like they will take you on a beautiful soup journey...arwwwwwwwwwww

For me, my journey had to be the Texan Four Bean Chilli soup from the aptly named skinnylicious sub range. I love chilli and I love beans! Plus since I have been reading up on chilli pepper and their value I have learnt a lot. They originated from the Americas and belong to the fruit family. Not only do they taste delicious but they are a great aphrodisiac, and can help speed up your metabolism... pass me the chilli!!

The verdict:

I wouldn't say this is glorious, but I would say it's tasty and has its plus points. It was a good soup, there is an abundance of flavours that open up the taste buds. I was definitely taken on a journey, but it felt like a slightly confused one, the title of the soup says Texan, but I feel like went there via India. This wasn't a bad thing, it was more unexpected, and unexpected delight. this soup is certainly not for the faint heart, it packs a mad punch of chilli that awakens the sense... lets just hope it awakens my metabolism whilst its at it!

Its a soup full of beans, tomato, rice, and some really al dente onion chunks which are now starting to repeat on me, not that you wanted to know that, nor does the poor guy who has to sit next to me in the office.

Souper rating: 4 out of 5 - A really yummy soup that has taken me on a worldwide adventure this lunchtime! I will certainly be back to take another Glorious tour!

Carrot & Parsnip Soup - Morrisons

Happy Monday! Here's to a fresh week full of positivity!
Over the weekend I really slobbed out, I was self loathing, and to try and make myself feel better I ate a whole bag of mini eggs. I couldn't understand why I wasn't feeling great about myself... I then turned to Facebook for some comfort. It was here I read a quote from The Body Coach - "You won't win everyday. Just don't let a bad day of eating become a bad week. Wake up, reset and go again 🔥💪🏽😀" - This was just the pick me up I needed, it's given me the motivation to forget about the mini eggs and think about the week ahead.
So today I have chosen to go for a can of Morrisons own brand carrot and parsnip soup. I have never had a Morrisons soup, nor have I ever had the pleasure of trying a carrot and parsnip soup. Every time I go to type the name of this soup I instantly want to put, ... and coriander, that's the common pairing for a carrot soup, right? However, I am very intrigued to say the least, I love parsnips in all forms so this should be a treat!

The verdict:

Considering I'm not feeling particularly hungry as I'm trying to think thin, this is a very filling soup, its not the thoughts, its definitely the soup.
I was a little dubious at first, as when I opened the can it looked a cross between lumpy sick and baby food. Then as I poured the can, I pretty much felt the same about it. But like they say, "the proof is in the pudding", or in this case... the soup.

Its was actually quite nice, a sweet peppery flavour, enhanced by the weirdly small chunks of parsnip. It actually reminded me of carrot and swede mash my mum would make when I was a kid. The creaminess really adds to the taste of this soup, it really stands out in the after taste making you feel all warm and satisfied inside. 

This really is a nice soup, I'm very surprised to be honest. As shocked as I sound, I think this boils down to brand misconception. My mental image of Morrisons own food is that it's cheap, and made full of cheap produce, I can safely say I'm wrong. I would happily eat this soup again. 

The only downfall for this soup is the lumps, it really could do without them. I also think if a soup is meant to be put through a blender then it shouldn't have any bits, it should be smooth and stick to its guns and stay true to its blended self. And likewise for a chunky soup, it should be full of big bold pieces and have a bite to it. 

Souper rating: 3.5 out of 5 - Its a really tasty soup once you get past the mental image of yourself throwing up a bowl and the eating it.