• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 brown onion (150 grams), finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped or grated

• 1 large carrot (220 grams), peeled and diced

• 2 sticks celery (150 grams), diced

• 1 zucchini (180 grams), diced

• 1 large corn cob (180 grams on cob), kernels removed

• 1 cups dry soup mix, rinsed (the Soup mix I prefer is a blend of split peas, barley & lentils purchased from the supermarket)

• Salt & Pepper

• 2 litres chicken stock (use an extra chicken stock cube if you like a more intense flavour)

• 1 kg chicken drumsticks or skinless lovely legs

• Optional: 1/4 cup frozen baby peas

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

• Place the soup mix into a bowl and cover with water. Allow it to soak for 10 minutes, then rinse under cold water.

• Heat the oil over a medium heat in a large heavy based stockpot or casserole dish. Slowly cook the onion and garlic. Try not to brown the onion so keep the heat on low and go low and slow.

• When the onion is soft, add the carrot, celery, zucchini, corn kernels and rinsed soup mix. Cook for 2 minutes. 

• Then add the chicken stock and chicken legs. 

• Increase the heat to high and bring to the boil.

• Once the soup has come to the boil, turn the heat down and simmer. Partially cover the soup with the lid. Stir occasionally. Simmer for 1 hour or until the soup mix and vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through. Turn off the heat. 

• Remove the chicken legs from the soup and place them in a bowl. A bowl will allow you to catch the drained liquid. Allow the chicken legs to cool enough that you can remove the meat from the bones. Chop or shred the chicken meat. Discard the chicken bones.

• Return the chopped or shredded chicken to the soup. If you are using baby peas add these to the soup now and simmer for a further 5 minutes until they are cooked. Season with salt and pepper.

• Ladle into the soup bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with some delicious crusty bread topped with a good slather of butter (the bread, not the soup).

Enjoy xx