ingredients needed for the artichoke soup :

1 onion, sliced
50g/2oz butter
700g/11⁄2lb Jerusalem artichokes, peeled and sliced
600ml/1pt milk
salt and ground white pepper

Making of artichoke soup
• In a heavy saucepan over a low heat, gently sweat the onion in the butter until soft and translucent.
• Add the artichokes to the onion. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring a few times.
• Add 600ml/1pint water and the milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and simmer slowly – do not boil or the milk may curdle.

ingredients needed for the almond soup

225g/8oz blanched almonds, minced
3 egg yolks, hard-boiled
1.2 litres/2pt chicken stock
25g/1oz butter, softened
25g/1oz plain flour
125ml/4fl oz single cream
salt and freshly ground
black pepper

instructions for almond soup :

• Using a mortar and pestle, reduce the almonds to a paste with the egg yolks and 1 tablespoon of the stock. Set aside.