Broad bean, courgette and pea soup, and 1000 steps walk

I enjoy the rest period between the frantic bursts of Christmas and New Year's Eve.  It is a time when we can wind down, reflect, and think about the year ahead.  While I am not one for New Year's resolutions, I do know when my body needs to be treated with some respect.  Hence it was that after the festive feasting, I ate soup and had a long walk.

I didn't take many photos of the soup because I made it after bringing home Sylvia from an outing to see the Paddington movie again and a playdate with a friend (where she had been ill) and while my parents dropped in on the way to the airport to pick up my sister and her son.

Likewise, I didn't take many photos at the 1000 steps walk we did the day before.  I had decided we needed to get out of town for a bushwalk while E was on holidays.  I packed some rolls with cheese and chutney, some fruit and a few last chocolate mince pies.  Unfortunately I forgot to pack my camera memory card so I just used my phone for photos.

The 1000 steps walk in Ferntree Gully (on the outskirts of Melbourne) is a memorial to the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea where many Australian's showed courage in a battle during World War II.  Most of the people walking the memorial trail seemed there for fitness rather than to pay respects.  We were there for the scenic walk. 

The walk was a little more challenging and more spectacular than I had expected.  I loved all the rain forest tree ferns and lots of majestic gum trees.  The steps had me wishing I was fitter.  However we all reached the top and enjoyed eating our rolls.

We then headed down with vision of icy poles dancing in our heads.  The 1000 steps cafe seemed to offer quite a decent menu with burgers, a "vegetarian sensation", and lots of biscuits.  It was warm enough that all we were interested in were the ice creams or icy poles.

E and I were ready for a rest but Sylvia was full of energy at the end of the walk and had a lovely time on the playground.

I highly recommend this soup (inspired by this recipe) if you want something light after your New Year's indulgences.  In North America, black eyed peas and greens are often eaten for luck.  This dish is not quite that sort of peas and greens but it is as close as I get.

Now I am off to make vegetarian haggis nachos for our New Year's Eve dinner.  I wish you all fun celebrating the new year (or best wishes for trying to sleep while the fireworks explode around you if that is your preference) and a happy and healthy 2015.  I will do a reflection on 2014 post early in the new year.

Previously on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
One year ago: A day out: Pancake Parlour, Frozen and Starbucks
Two years ago: Edinburgh cafe: Jenners Department Store
Three years ago: Rocky road
Four years ago: Haggis nachos, haggis leftovers
Five years ago: Sweet pasta, sweet crepes
Six years ago: Chestnut, parsnip and orange soup
Seven years ago: PPN #44 Pumpkin Sauce and the Grim Eater

Broad bean, courgette and pea soup
Serves 4

2-3 tsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
2 small potatoes, chopped
1 large zucchini (400g), chopped
3 garlic, finely sliced
3 cups vegetable stock
500g frozen broad beans
1 cup frozen peas
1 handful of rocket or baby spinach
Seasoning
Mint and parmesan to serve*

Heat oil in a large saucepan.  Fry onion and celery for 5 to 10 minutes until onion is soft.  Mix in potatoes and fry for about 5 minutes, then add zucchini and garlic and fry about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.  By now the vegies should be quite soft (and the bottom of my saucepan was quite brown).

Add in stock, broad beans and peas.  Check seasoning and adjust if desired.  Simmer for about 10 minutes.  Add rocket or spinach.

Blend with a hand held blender or as desired.  Stir in about 1-2 tablespoons of finely grated parmesan and chopped mint.  Ladle into bowls and serve with extra parmesan, mint and lots of black pepper.

*NOTES: For a vegan soup use some nutritional yeast flakes or a vegan parmesan instead of the parmesan.

On the Stereo:
Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes