The best ‘what’s in the fridge?’ quick dinner: Maltese widow's soup

This 'odds-and-ends’ soup is great for both clearing your fridge and warming your tummy

I came across this recipe, Maltese Widow’s Soup, many years ago and it has been a firm favourite ever since. The Maltese widow would have sourced all the ingredients from her garden…in my case I think of it as a way to use up odds and ends of veg in the fridge. My clear out fridge quick dinner soup! It's a soup that's so nourishing and easy to digest.

Treat the recipe as a guideline - don’t make a special trip to the supermarket - just use up what you have in your fridge or your garden. You can add any protein such as meat, fish, prawns, feta cheese, bone broth or just enjoy it with the veggie stock.

Maltese Widow’s Soup - a great 'in fridge' quick dinner

Ingredients:

• 2 medium onions

• 4 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 potatoes scrubbed and chopped

• 2 carrots peeled and chopped

• 1 parsnip or a small kohlrabi, peeled and chopped

• 1 cup broad beans (fresh or frozen)

• 1 cup of peas (fresh or frozen)

• 2 celery sticks

• 1/2 cauliflower in bite size pieces

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish

• Stock - enough to cover vegetables (chicken or vegetable - about 2 litres)

• 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp each of butter and olive oil

Method:

1. Saute garlic, onion and parsley in the butter and olive oil until soft

2. Add potato, carrot, parsnip/kohlrabi and celery

3. Pour in stock and tomato paste. Stir well.

4. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for about 15 - 20mins until the vegetables are half cooked. Add the cauliflower beans and peas.

5. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley and/or feta if desired.

6. Be creative with the recipe and enjoy!

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Hey there, I'm Belinda

I'm the owner of Aroha acupuncture. I have a BHSc Acupuncture, plus Diplomas in Tuina Massage and Qigong & Taiji. I've studied many forms of acupuncture, including Japanese-style acupuncture. I love this style of acupuncture because it’s so gentle, yet so effective.

I'm passionate about all aspects of women’s health, especially women facing menopause and mid-life changes. I also love to help women through their pregnancy journey and preparation for birth. Find out more about Belinda