Festivity Soup is a filling crowd-pleaser of a soup, with cream and sherry optionally added to give it a richer flavour.

Ingredients

• 1lb (450g) potatoes
• 12 oz (340g) carrots
• 2 medium sized onions
• 2 oz (50g) butter
• 1 dessertspoon of sugar
• salt
• a little nutmeg
• 2 pints (40 fl oz) vegetable stock or water
• 3 tablespoons of cream (optional)
• Sherry to flavour (optional)
• Freshly chopped parsley (optional)

Method

1. Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters
2. Peel the carrots and cut into slices
3. Peel and slice the onions
4. Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the onions and cook until soft but not browned
5. Add the carrots, potatoes, sugar and salt
6. Add the stock and cook gently until the vegetables are soft
7. When cooked, rub through a sieve, or reduce them in an electric blender, and return them to the pan
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding a pinch of nutmeg. Reheat.
9. The optional cream, sherry and freshly chopped parsley can be added just before serving

Source: Mrs Appleby. Traditional Yorkshire Recipes (1987) Dalesman Books.