Italian Tomato & Mascarpone Soup - Morrisons

It's lunchtime! And thanks to the invention of canned products I have a few lunches stashed away in my desk draw at work. My soup of choice today is a can of tomato and mascarpone, made by Morrisons from their signature range. It always makes me chuckle when you see the supermarkets branding their more premium range of products, Tesco with its Finest range, Sainsbury's with its Taste the Difference, Asda with its Extra special range, and now Morrisons with the Signature range. Its like they have a guy sat there thinking of ways to make things sound a bit premium in a variety of ways, that guy must of got an A* in English...

Back to the soup! I wonder if this simple soup combination of flavours will match that of the great Heinz tomato classic, lets find out...

The verdict:

This is more than a soup, this is a taste sensation! wow! My taste buds are blown! It opened up a world of imagination in my mind. I couldn't work out if I was eating a pasta bake sauce, or a slice of cheese pizza?! It tastes just like a real Italian pizza base sauce. A soup that tastes like pizza... this is what dieting dreams are made of! 

The creamy texture mixed with the sweet juicy tomato chunks just melt in your mouth. Its perfectly seasoned and has that Italian herb touch to it, its not at all over bearing it has just the right balance. I honestly cant fault this soup. All I can really say is if you don't like pizza don't try this soup, and if you don't like pizza, what is wrong with you?!!?

Souper rating: 5 out of 5 - There is a God out there. He/She works at Morrisons and invented a relatively healthy soup that tastes just like pizza. God bless you soup inventor.

Lentil & Bacon Soup - Marks & Spencer

Soup time is upon us and I'm feeling hungry as usual. Its safe to say I do as my body tells me when I'm hungry, I've always been told this is the right thing to do. Food is fuel, no matter what diet you are trying to follow you need to eat food that fulfills you and satisfy's your bodies needs.
I guess from that you can tell I'm still on the fitness wagon, just. I did a 5km run at the weekend, I felt so good for it! I felt energised and my motivation levels went up so much! I know I can do this I've done it before... but why is it when I got back from my run, all I wanted was a cookie?! Whats that about?? I know after running/exercise your body craves salt and sugars to replenish the loss during the run, but why did it make me fantasise about cookies? I don't even really like them. So I gave in, one cookie won't hurt, will it?

Today's souper treat is a can of lentil and bacon soup, made by Marks & Spencer. I'm really looking forward to trying this, I was sold by the wholesome photo stuck on the front of the can. Good old M&S hasn't failed me yet so hopefully this soup wont disappoint.

The verdict:

Just as I thought... WONderful! M&S has done me proud and made my lunch time one I will want to have again! And for £1 this really is a bargain soup.

The flavours are subtle, there is no spice but that's not what should be expected. Its a traditional combination of green lentils and bacon bits. I was a little dubious when I read through the ingredients, as when I started reading words that I didn't understand, It caused concern, what is it I'm actually eating? Thankfully for M&S the flavour of the soup has managed to sway my mind. Or have I been brain washed by the perfectly seasoned soup, with its chunky bits of vegetables and salty bites of gammon and bacon. All my doubt disappeared after each mouthful, I'm not sure this is a good thing but I'm going with it for now, I'm hungry after all.

Souper rating: 3 out of 5 - If I understood what some of the ingredients were I may have given this soup an even lower rating, but I enjoyed the soup and all its additives. It was my choice at the end of the day, and just like everyone else in this world who have that choice to eat it or leave it, I chose to eat. 

Maris Piper Potato & Leek Soup - New Covent Garden Soup Co.

It's Friday and I'm feeling fresh! Can't wait for the working week to be over, it's been a tough one...
But that doesn't matter as it's Souper time! Time to get my soup on and try another delight. Today I have chosen a potato and leek soup made by New Covent Garden Soup Co. I'm usually satisfied with this range. The ingredients used are always fresh tasting and in abundance. As it's Friday I really don't want to be disappointed so I decided paying a bit more than usual and going for a classic flavour from their range.
I love a good leek and potato soup, it makes you feel all warm and comforted inside. I always find its great when you having a really sickie day and cant stomach meat or anything to tasking.
Before I get tasting I wanted to gain some really important knowledge, get a bit more educated about soup... so i Googled - 'who invented soup?' - This is what I got...

Doctor John T. Dorrance, a chemist with the Campbell Soup Company, invented condensed soup in 1897. Today, Campbell's Tomato, Cream of Mushroom, and Chicken Noodle Soup are three of the most popular soups in America.

I never thought about this sort of thing, but it turns out its actually very interesting. The fact soup was invented by a doctor makes me think about the link between craving soup when you are ill or under the weather... maybe this is the connection? Maybe this is where the association started? Should I add this to Wiki? Too far me thinks.

The verdict:

I can definitely say I feel comforted this lunchtime, be it a little sleepy now, but definitely fulfilled. It's exactly what it says on the box, potato and leek. It's got a subtle flavour which could do with a little more salt, but the pepper makes up for that loss. The peppery tones work really well with the potato adding a bit of a kick to the taste. The basic simplicity of this soup make it. There's little to no gimmicks and it straight to the point - leek and potato - like it or lump it.

Souper rating: 4 out of 5 - Pure comfort in a bowl! A joyous soup, but when a sprinkle of salt is added it turns your new best friend... that you can eat.

Broccoli & Stilton Soup - Crosse & Blackwell

soup

suːp/

noun

1. 1.

   a liquid dish, typically savoury and made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables etc. in stock or water.

   "a bowl of tomato soup"
2. 2.

   a substance or mixture regarded as resembling soup in appearance or consistency.

   "the waves and the water beyond have become a thick brown soup"

verb

informal

1. 1.

   increase the power and efficiency of an engine or other machine.

   "a souped-up Ford with big rear wheels"

Today I wanted to understand the word 'soup' correctly so I turned to Google, good old Google definitions. It's so brilliant its pulled up the informal usage of the word - 'souped-up' - Makes me think of a teenage chatting about how sick their car is. Surely this is a urban dictionary term?
Anyway on to the soup... I have chosen a can of broccoli and stilton soup made by Crosse & Blackwell. I cant say I have ever tried this brand before, but today it caught my eye, partly because of the flavour but more importantly it won a Good Housekeeping award! AND it's celebrating the best of British by using British produce. I am always sold by products that support home grown ingredients instead of ones that have been imported from Australia, and been frozen for a billion years. Eat British is what I say, support the country you live in by buying produce made by people local to you. I know this can't always be a choice, but when it is, why not?

The verdict:

Good god! Who in their right mind gave that an award?! Seriously. From the moment I opened this deceivingly good looking can I was sure this wasn't going to end well. It was like pouring out moldy angel delight into my bowl. It wobbled like jelly and smelt like death. I hoped this would all be forgotten upon tasting... Nope, still awful! I've eaten stilton and broccoli soup before and its been a pleasant experience, that may have been because it was homemade. But still, surely an award wining soup shouldn't be so disturbingly bad.It tasted sour and musty, the broccoli had no flavour at all, they were mushy green chunks covered in the sour stilton, I think the broccoli may have actually been decaying. I cant see any goodness in this soup. I better stop my ranting there as I think you get the picture.

Souper rating: 0.5 out of 5 - That half a point is purely for the brand design, other than that I wouldn't even eat this if the world was ending and I had one can left to survive off. Sorry Crosse & Blackwell. 

Classic Chicken Soup - New Covent Garden Soup Co.

Souper Soup time has had some soup time off. It was a much needed mental break. Why does life always seem to get in the way of the positive things you want to achieve in life? Is that too deep for a Soup blog? Possibly.
Anyways i'm back in the game and eating more soup than I ever imagined! Today's lunch was a classic chicken soup by New Covent Garden Soup Co. I would never usually pick a just chicken soup, I always think of creamed chicken being all blended with a jubbly consistency... even saying that is making me panicked about giving this a go! But for the sake of trial and error, and my mission to be more adventurous, i'm going to give this the once over!

The verdict:

I think i'm pleasantly surprised... apart from getting 3rd degree burns on my tongue! I followed the clear as mud instructions and yet this has happened. I want to blame the instructions but I may have to just blame myself for being such a pig and not having any patience. Aside from this the soup was quite nice, it wasn't jubbly as I anticipated. It was buttery and peppery, with a good amount of chicken. I find all of the soups from the New Covent Garden Soup Co. range really well seasoned, sometimes a bit too peppery, but I always think its better to have flavour rather than none at all. My only issues with this soup are the oiliness (from the butter I presume) and the chicken. The chicken is very stringy with very few actual chunks, so when you are eating this soup be warned to may be wear a bib. This isn't the be all and end all of the soup, it could just do with a few more chicken chunks and a little less butter... would be great so eaters don't end up looking like greasy pigs at lunch time.

Souper rating: 4 out of 5 - A surprisingly tasty soup, perfect for those days when you just want a comforting hug at lunch time. 

Chicken & Vegetable Soup - Tesco

Souper Soup'in time! Loving this soup experience at the moment, I'm feeling liberated trying new things, being brave, and sticking to something. That may sound silly as may this blog to some people, but If like me you have a million best intentions running around your brain but never act on them, then you will understand that by writing this blog means more to me than soup.
So here I go again...Today I have chosen a fresh tub of Tesco own chicken and vegetable soup. It looks pretty appetising, although the labeling gives it a cheap tacky kind of feel. The orangey, yellow colouring really doesn't give a good impression, my mind is already thinking this may not be a good experience...

The verdict:

Well. Hmm. This is definitely not one I will be in a hurry to have again. It just didn't taste of anything, I am really surprised, the ingredients list so many versions of chicken, from chicken skin to chicken fat... mmm sounds tasty right? wrong. I can just about taste chicken. The chunks of chicken that exist in this soup don't even look like real chicken, they look reconstituted, and they taste it too. The lack of flavour is the biggest downfall of this soup, if only they put in a few pinches of salt I think it would of made this soup so much better. Its full of vegetables, which are actually really nice, but would be even better with some salt. 

Granted the producers of this soup have thrown in some token herbs, but these still don't help with the flavour. They look like, and taste dried up and old. They add nothing to this soup. Well, that's a bit harsh, they add a scent of herb to the soup and a deceiving homemade look.

Souper rating: 2 out of 5 - The chunky vegetables save this soup, but I really wish there was just a little, just a small sprinkle of S A L T... P L E A S E. Maybe next time Tesco?

Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup - The Co-operative

It's happening, the hunger monkeys are knocking at my bellies door!
So i'm having a good day, i'm shifting weight and feeling physically good. It's always the first steps that are the hardest. Now i'm over the line, and on the fitness train and feeling really good about it... even if I am sat here wishing I had bought that creme egg that sat beautifully on the counter at the petrol station. I'll just keep that one in my thought bank for now...
Today's lunch time soup is a fresh tub of chicken & sweetcorn from the Co-operative. I'm super excited about this one! I think I love sweetcorn more than my dog, actually no I don't, I love my dog more, but when she tears the house to pieces I definitely love sweetcorn more than her.

The verdict:

Yep yep yep, that did the golden sweetcorn proud! Such a tasty soup!

When ever I think of a chicken and sweetcorn soup, I always think of the Chinese restaurant version that's watery, salty, and has chunks of funky chicken pieces with about 5 bits of sweetcorn swimming around in it. This was far different from that, it was warming and wholesome. The texture is thick but not too thick, just thick enough to feel like you are getting a real bite from your soup. It's perfectly seasoned and has a good ratio of chicken to sweetcorn. Then there's of course with the added potato that gives this a very homemade feel. My only issue once again is the tub size. why? just, why? I don't plan on sharing with anyone and I don't plan on eating this again within the next 2 days. I can moan all I like and hope that one day the soup creators out there will think of me and my lunch time dilemma. In the meantime I've left the remaining half of the soup it in the communal work fridge, maybe someone will give it a good home.

Souper rating: 4.5 out of 5 - This is one sweetcorn-a-lious soup! Thanks Co-op you've done yourselves proud!

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.

Minestrone Soup - Heinz

It's Lunchtime! Which means it's soup time!
I'm actually really looking forward to having soup today seeing as my routine was rudely interrupted by work trying to better my skills. I'm not bitter, I thoroughly enjoyed my training in the big smoke. I just missed having my warm bowl of soup, and the 20 minutes of typing a poorly written blog.
Today I have chosen one of the Heinz classic variety, minestrone soup. I do like a good minestrone soup, although, I can say I have never tried the Heinz variety, so I will be able to compare it mentally to ones I have had in the past.
Minestrone to me is something people either love or hate. When I first asked a friend what they thought about minestrone they said it was a watery, bland soup that really isn't worth wasting time over... This point was soon proven wrong.
I moved house roughly a year ago near to a village called Hartley Wintney, it was here that I realised minestrone doesn't have to be the way my friend described. The local Italian restaurant (Bellini) serve minestrone as the house soup, and its absolutely delicious! Its a wonderfully lightly spiced soup full of vegetables, beans, and tiny pieces of cute looking pasta all in a perfectly seasoned broth.
I never usually order soup in restaurants, I save them for the working week. But on this occasion something inside me said "try the soup, try a true Italian soup". One of the best decisions I ever made.

The verdict:

I think I am going to stick to either making my own minestrone soup, or ordering it from my local Italian. It was an acceptable tasting soup, nothing truly awful about it. It just didn't wow me, and to be honest it didn't feel satisfying. 

The consistency is very runny, not watery, but runny. It felt like there was no real bite to it unless you got a piece of veg or a bean. Granted it was full of 'bits', but these bits were not very appealing, nor did they look it. The soup tasted like someone had mixed a can of baked beans with a can of tomato spaghetti, then threw in a handful of cheap frozen mixed veg. Oh and a hand full of old dried out mixed herb leaves. It just isn't comparable to the minestrone's I've had in the past, whether that be from a restaurant or a fresh tub from the supermarket.

Souper rating: 2.5 out of 5 - I'm not really sure this should be called a minestrone soup, but who am I? I'm not part of the soup police, I'll leave it up to the experts to name a soup so I can just approve or criticise.  

Mushroom Soup With Wholegrain Black Rice - Yorkshire Provender

Well I've made it to Friday thank God! This week feels like it's gone on for ages, it's been one of those weeks... whatever that saying actually means. To me it means it's been long, tedious, full of running around and feeling like I've not actually ever slept in my whole life (I know that's impossible, I'm being a drama queen).
So you maybe able to tell that this week hasn't been great. I am being a ray of sun shine today... whatever, let's just hope my souper lunchtime will perk me up!
I have decided to go for another soup from the Yorkshire Provender range. I loved the one I had the other day so much that I am hoping this perfectly portioned soup will help me get through the next 3 and a half hours of my day. The souper flavour of choice is mushroom and wholegrain black rice. I wouldn't usually go for a soup which is primarily mushroom as too much of mushroom can be a very over powering flavour, but with this being from the same range as the souper hit Yorkshire Provender, I thought it must be a good one. It has all the right highlights, it's gluten free, full of natural goodness, vegetarian friendly, and the whole pot is one of my 5 a day...SOLD! Sold for £1.50, - a bit higher than I'd like to pay for a soup but it's Friday so I'm allowing it.

The verdict:

Why isn't it 5.30 pm yet?! Can you tell this soup has not helped? I don't want to completely write it off as I am still trying to eat it... well force it down. I should have gone with my instincts - mushroom soups should not be eaten at lunchtime or on their own. Even though the black rice adds texture and is perfectly cooked with that added bite, the mushroom is still too over powering. It's not only the taste that's not very pleasant, it's the look and smell too. 

It resembles what I can only describe as frogs spawn. I don't know why this didn't put me off in the first place. The grey, gungy consistency mixed with pearl sized lumps of black spawn rice really doesn't work for a soup. And the smell, oh God the smell... it's all too much. As I ate this soup it felt like I was being slapped in the face with a dirty old sports sock, but I guess that was the cheese showing its ugly, badly used self in this situation. Don't get me wrong I love a good cheese, but this combination is not working. In fact it's making me feel physically sick the more I think about it being digested in my stomach. 

I would love to know who in their right mind created this and said "Yes, That's a tasty soup, lets mass produce it and sell it!"

Souper rating: 1 out of 5 - 1 for branding. Its just awful, and that's not just because I've had a bad week, its a genuinely awful tasting soup. Sorry Yorkshire Provender but i'll stick to the chicken.

Cream Of Tomato Soup - Heinz

So I've missed a few Souper days... I was busy with work and venturing into the big smoke for a work related event. I was then easily swayed away from soup due to the millions of eateries that line the streets of London. But i'm back in the office today and back on the soup!
Today's soup treat is the classic Heinz cream of tomato, this soup is truly a classic, I would go as far to say its an ole reliable. This has definitely been a staple throughout my life, I can relate to a Heinz Tomato soup. Its been there for me in my time of need, when I have been ill and want nothing more than that creamy velvet texture in my tum to make the illness go away. And not to mention the amazing combination this soup and some cheese on toast!! Its just epic!! A perfect way to lift any mood swings that may be occurring.

The verdict:

Just as I anticipated, winner winner chicken dinner!! This soup is the simply classically the BEST! The flavour of creamy sweet tomatoes are exquisite. I cant fault this soup. The whole can is a perfect portion, its really fulfilling and hits the spot. I think some people may find a purely tomato soup boring and a bit too much of the same thing, which I can totally understand. But that's why I think this is a soup that can only be eaten when your feeling low or not very well. As if I had to eat this soup everyday or on a regular basis I think I would end up hating it. 

Souper rating: 5 out of 5 - This is in my top 5, its always a winner, it never fails to make my tummy smile, and its just beautifully simple. Its a bowl full of emotion therapy suitable for anyone struggling to get through the working day.