A Santa Dash ... and a bowl of warming Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

At this time of year you will see and hear about many Santa Dash Fun Events. Yes you can "leave the sleigh at home and take part in a 3k fun run, walk, hop, skip or jump – whatever you fancy! All we want this Christmas is for you to help create a sea of Santa’s, all running or walking for Oakhaven Hospice and raising much-needed funds so our specialist services can continue across the community."

These two Santa's AKA Grandson and his Dad almost ready for the off!

There were over 1000 Santa's of all different shapes, sizes and ages waiting to take part in the Charity Santa Dash

Brrr it was chilly - Grandson with Mum and Dad waiting for the off !

A little later with the Dash completed and back home ...

a bowl of warming roast red pepper and tomato soup was being enjoyed

A delicious warming soup stacked with vitamins & minerals.

Ingredients:
Serves Four
3 Deep red peppers, halved & de-seeded.
1 White onion, unpeeled & halved.
4 Cloves of garlic, unpeeled.
2 Sticks of celery, sliced & chopped.
500g Plum tomatoes.
450ml Vegetable stock.
2tbsp Olive oil.
2tbsp Tomato puree.
1tbsp Sundried tomato paste.
1tsp Flaked chilli.
25g Butter.
Salt & coarsely ground black pepper

Method:
1. Pre heat oven to 190/gas mark 4. Place the pepper & onion halves (cut side down) along with the plum tomatoes & garlic cloves into a baking tray & drizzle with the olive oil. Bake at the top of your oven for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are roasted & tender.
2. Meanwhile melt down the butter in a large pan over a medium heat and sauté the chopped celery for 4-5 minutes. Not too hot, don't burn the butter.
3. Make up the vegetable stock adding the tomato puree, sun-dried tomato paste & the chilli flakes. Mix well and then add to the sautéed celery. Remove from the heat.
4. When the baked vegetables are ready remove the peel from the onion & garlic cloves roughly chop them & add them to the pan along with the plum tomatoes. Place back on to a low to medium heat & using a hand blender blend until the soup is smooth.
5. Season to taste & gently simmer until the soup is at a comfortable edible temperature. Do not allow the soup to boil.

I certainly hope you may enjoy this recipe idea. You will find many recipe suggestions are within this blog, but not all recipes will suit all. Any food allergies, or underlying health issues must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

The above recipe idea from here

All the best Jan