by Carol Kearns May 09, 2019
| This simple but delicious soup recipe from Carol Kearns demonstrates just how easy it is to make a satisfying and tasty light lunch or supper with minimal ingredients. Our Split Fava Beans are perfect for a dish like this - they don't need soaking and thicken the soup beautifully for a nutritious, filling and flavoursome dish. | 
You can make a soup out of almost anything – as this simple soup amply demonstrates.
It takes something of a leap of faith to believe that such unpromising ingredients as the tired outer leaves of a lettuce, and cucumber and tomatoes that are no longer fresh enough to serve in a salad can produce something even vaguely edible, let alone delicious, but this soup proves that you really can.
Soups are often thickened with potato but this recipe uses split fava beans, which add protein and boost the nutritional content of the soup. With a lower GI value than potatoes they also keep you feeling fuller for longer. And, unlike a lot of pulses, fava beans are grown in Britain.
So next time you find that, despite your best intentions, you discover salad ingredients lurking at the bottom of the fridge that are more than a little past their best give this soup a go. After all, what have you got to lose since most of the ingredients would otherwise be destined for the compost bin!
Makes 2 servings (just double, quadruple, etc depending on what you find in the fridge)
Ingredients
  | 
Method
  | 
October 31, 2025
An old-fashioned classic, upgraded for more plant diversity, more fibre, and, dare I say it, more flavour too! Instead of using just oats in crumble bars, try our four grain muesli base. You can make the crumble bars with either a caramelly date filling or a fresh, tart berry filling.
October 21, 2025
These traditional potato cakes are named “farls” from the Gaelic word fardel, meaning quarter. A central part of an Ulster fry, farls are popular across Northern Ireland. Making them at home is simple and requires minimal ingredients: some left-over mashed potatoes, a pinch of salt and just enough flour to bind.
October 17, 2025
This simple and naturally sweet recipe is a delicious and nourishing alternative to traditional grain-based granola. Packed with crunch from brazil nuts, seeds, and flaked almonds, it’s full of healthy fats, fibre and plant protein - perfect for a sustaining breakfast or snack. The chia fruit compote adds a bright, jammy contrast, thickened naturally with chia seeds for extra texture and nutrition.
Get in touch at hello@hodmedods.co.uk or 01986 467567
Things sometimes go wrong but we'll always do our best to put it right. Please contact us to let us know if there's any problem with an order.
For further details please see our Terms of Service, Returns, Refunds and Exchanges Policy and Privacy Policy.
Sign up for our latest news, recipes, offers & more…
By signing up, you agree to receive marketing emails. Please see our Privacy Policy for more details.
Registered in England and Wales as Hodmedod Ltd, The Studios, London Road, Brampton, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 8DQ, UK; company number 08151811.