Store cupboard soup

This is a really family favourite, and it struck me that it would be great to share as it is easy to rustle up from ingredients that I have in the store cupboard, so great for the lockdown. It comes from an ancient Cranks recipe book.
I find that if you do have whole cumin it makes a huge difference to the taste, if you can roast and grind it fresh.  Amazon is still selling lentils as I hear that supermarkets are running low.



Armenian Soup
50g red lentils, washed

50g dried cooking apricots

1 large potato, peeled and roughly chopped

2 pints vegetable stock

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin

3 tablespoons chopped herbs (authentically it would be parsley but we prefer margoram and chives)

salt and pepper 
Add everything to a large pan, bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer for about half an hour. Blitz with a blender till smooth, check the seasoning and then you are ready. It really is that easy. Traditionally it would be served with a dollop of yoghurt. 

Stay isolated and carry on

It all feels unreal. Having neglected by blog since DB was born suddenly I feel a need to record what is happening, in case i wake up from this dream.

We are trying to keep to a timetable. Oh, the irony having avoided routine since birth now it seems important to keep some shape in our lives. 

Having a daily target and a catalyst to identify one thing that made us happy are tiny tools to keep us on track. We also have a list of important people who are self isolating and there is a reminder to send postcards, pictures and messages. Most of the other things are mental fluff, but reminders that life goes on and lets make the most of it. We have our little faces so we can acknowledge our emotions and check them to see if we need a nudge back into feeling positive, as after all all emotions are valid, even anger and sadness as they are real.