Halloween soup with spooky garlic croutons

Method

• step 1

  Heat the olive oil in a large, deep saucepan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 7-8 mins until soft and translucent, but not coloured. Add the garlic and fry for 1 min. Add the stock, broccoli florets and stalks, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the broccoli is tender, about 8-10 mins.

• step 2

  Meanwhile, for the croutons, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 or air fryer to 180C. Stamp out Halloween shapes from the bread using biscuit cutters or scissors. Brush the oil over both sides. Bake or air-fry for 6-8 mins until crisp and just golden. Rub with the cut sides of the garlic clove. Set aside.

• step 3

  Add the frozen peas to the soup and cook for 2-3 mins more, then remove from the heat. Stir in 100g of the spinach and the parsley to wilt. Season, then cool slightly

• step 4

  Tip the soup mixture into a food processor or blender (or use a hand blender) along with the remaining spinach, and blitz until smooth. Season to taste with salt, pepper and the lemon juice. Will keep chilled for three days. When ready to serve, reheat on the hob until piping hot. Drizzle over a little cream in a spiral, then drag a skewer through the cream to create a spiderweb effect. Scatter over the croutons to serve.