Super Spinach & Chilli Soup

We were all taught that Popeye only needed a mouthful of spinach and suddenly he would become as strong as an ox and unbeatable in a fight. 

So at the family dinner table we'd be served some bland steamed mush and told to get it down us as it would make us strong like the tattooed cartoon character.  This obviously did not work and there must have been a small number of gullible kids who, after just about stomaching the spinach side dish at dinner, had gone out to confront the local bully full of confidence that the green stuff would fuel them to a David vs Goliath style victory only to get flattened and to run home crying, partly from the beating they had just received and partly because of the realisation that once again their parents had lied to them. The magic of Christmas - Lies, Babies are brought to their mummy's by a stalk - Lies, Tell the truth and you won't get in trouble - Lies...
 
It's surprising that any of us have any trust left in our parents... I'm not going to let my future kids down in the same way, they're getting the cold hard truth from the outset - There is no Santa Claus, your mother and I had very close naked hugs to make you and tell me the truth and you will get in trouble but you are in trouble anyway so what difference does it make??....   

Anyway, i suppose the spinach thing wasn't all lies, it does have many benefits, these benefits were just vastly exaggerated in the cartoon and the idea of eating it ready processed in a can, however convenient, is just disgusting...   

So try this as a delicious way to get the stronger skin, bones and vision that spinach can give you. I've also included chilli which reportedly boosts circulation, increases your metabolic rate and is both an anti inflammatory and provides pain relief.

I often make this when i have left over roast chicken and throw in the scraps for some extra muscle building protein!

Serve in mugs or sealed tins (for emergency situations...)

Ingredients - 

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

2 Onions, chopped

3 Garlic Cloves, crushed

Freshly Chopped or Dried Red Chilli Flakes, to taste

1.7 Litres Chicken Stock

250g bag of Spinach

Salt and Pepper

100ml Double Cream

2 handfuls of leftover Roast Chicken

• Heat the oil and fry the onion, garlic and chilli for a few minutes until softened
• Add the stock and bring to the boil
• Add the spinach, stir through to wilt and then simmer for approx 5 mins (add the leftover chicken  at the same time if using)
• Blend until smooth and season well with freshly ground black pepper and salt.
• Stir through the double cream or serve with the cream drizzled through.