What to do when someone is coming over for lunch or dinner and all that is on offer is a simple soup. Budget, time, resources all point towards a simple nourishing, belly warming soup. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. But how to turn that flaccid celery, pumpkin looking like its going to produce its own penicillin and the odd carrot or two in the bottom of the crisper into a delicious meal?
Place some simple plaited bread that looks pretty in the middle of the table and your meal is complete. After being inspired by Heidiannie and all her plaited and beautifully presented bread, I had decided to give it a go too.
Pumpkin Soup
good slurp of olive oil
a couple of sticks of celery
big hunk of pumpkin chopped up
carrots
Cook them up in some stock, then wizz with hand held mixer when soft. Add a spoonful of ready made asian sauce, (rendang, green curry paste etc) to give it an extra zing.
Serve with some fancy looking bread, (that’s actually really easy…shhh).
sourdough plaited bread
For more on braiding bread check out Celia’s latest post.
cityhippyfarmgirl 
Brydie, jinx! I was inspired by Heidi as well! 🙂
Thanks for the mention, and I must try the three braid too – haven’t done that one yet. Agree completely that the wow factor makes these loaves a good party piece! 🙂
LikeLike
Big jinx 🙂
…and now I have to try the 6 braid.
LikeLike
That looks beautiful! I haven’t had the time or energy to be even mildly creative with my bread making lately, but you have re-inspired me! 🙂
LikeLike
Amy I think I’ve just re-inspired myself. So many tricky plaited breads to play with!
LikeLike
Thanks for posting!!I love homemade bread but never tried braiding..thanks for the great idea!!
LikeLike
Your welcome! good luck…
LikeLike
Yum!! Love pumpkin soup and that bread looks amazing
LikeLike
Pumpkin soup is such an easy staple isn’t it.
LikeLike
I love the composition of that first photo – beautiful image – lucky friends getting braided bread for lunch 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Jo. I think I have as much fun taking the photo as I do cooking some times.
LikeLike
Wow! Your plaited breads look fantastic, Brydie. Just the thing to go with a big bowlful of warming soup (another supporter of the Thai paste in pumpkin soup, too! So tasty. 😉 )
LikeLike
The asian pastes just give it a good kick don’t they? Makes a child friendly meal into an adults with attitude.
LikeLike
Brydie, between you & Celia I’m seriously considering having a go at this braiding business…, your right about a fabulous loaf of warm crusty bread sitting centre stage of the meal table, never fails to get the oooohhs & aaahhhs it deserves & brings any soup to all new levels of YumO. 🙂
LikeLike
I had the ‘rustic’ look down pat for the breads, so its certainly bit more fun prettying the loaves up. Sooo many blobs I’ve created 🙂
LikeLike
Have all intentions of making some soup this weekend, it’s rainy,it’s windy and a really dull day…nothing like a homeamde soup towarm you up! The bread looks fantastic! Yvettex
LikeLike
Perfect weekend for soup I would say then Yvette.
LikeLike
Ahh I was just reading Celia’s post too! I agree, serving a soup with a freshly baked home made bread is a perfect lunch. These look lovely and soft! 🙂
LikeLike
Its such an easy lunch isn’t it…I think I will have to try the 6 part braid after reading about Celia’s.
LikeLike
Brydie- they are beautiful!
I love the floury rustic look- and the pumpkin soup looks and sounds delicious! I just made some honey whole wheat bread that would go great with it!
Sounds like a plan for lunch!
And thanks for the mention!
LikeLike
You’re welcome Heidi! You were my inspiration.
Honey wholewheat sounds good, I did a Honey Semolina Sourdough this weekend… Must be the weekend for honey breads.
LikeLike
The bread looks so yummy. Seriously, you can’t beat a good soup and bread. xx
LikeLike
i’m impressed (again!) this would make any soup a stand out meal!
LikeLike
Definitely a special lunch with those wonderful plaits. AND pumpkin soup is my favourite soup ever.
LikeLike
Pingback: RECIPES « Cityhippyfarmgirl's Blog
Pingback: Weaving bread and why its fun to play with your food « Cityhippyfarmgirl's Blog