Gordon & Stella McDowall are our downstairs neighbours in Glasgow, Scotland. They are the best, kindest friends on the planet and we always look forward to coming to our place in order to spend time with them, especially over delicious meals.

They are both recently retired from teaching art. Gordon regularly wins national prizes for his watercolours. Their leisure time is now spent cultivating their nearby allotment. Wonderful produce appears week by week during the summer, including fabulous turnips that make Stella’s soup so delicious.

Turnip and Watercress Soup
Ingredients:
1 oz butter
1 lb small turnips
1 bunch of watercress
1 onion chopped
1.5 – 2 pints of Marigold veggie stock
salt and pepper
single cream or alternative to finish

Method:
Sauté onion in butter then add chopped turnip, continue to sauté for 1 further minute.
Add hot stock, bring to the boil then simmer for 8 mins or until turnips are tender.
Wilt sprigs of watercress into soup for 1 min reserving a few sprigs for garnishing.
Liquidise soup and adjust consistency and seasoning
Serve with a swirl of cream or similar and a small sprig of watercress.

Watercolour by Gordon McDowall of Dowanhill Church, courtesy of the artist