Chestnut and chorizo soup with saffron cream

(Serves 6-8)

Freezable (without saffron cream)

Olive oil

200g chorizo, cut into small cubes

1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped

1 stick of celery, chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped S

alt and pepper

1/2tsp chilli flakes 1tsp finely chopped rosemary

1tsp ground cumin

200g cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped

400g canned chopped tomatoes

1l chicken stock

100ml double cream

A few saffron strands

Up to three days ahead: Heat a drop of oil in a large saucepan and fry the chorizo until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrot to the pan. Season with salt and pepper and cook over a low heat for 15-20 minutes, until soft and lightly golden. Add the chilli flakes, rosemary and cumin and stir for a minute or so, then add the chestnuts, tomatoes, stock and half the chorizo.

Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Blend until smooth, leave to cool, then chill or freeze.

In a small pan, gently warm the cream with the saffron for five minutes, then set aside to cool. Cover and chill. 30 minutes ahead: Warm the soup. Take the saffron cream out of the fridge. Put the remaining chorizo in a warm oven or gently warm through in a frying pan. Ladle into bowls with chorizo and cream.