Name: Rachel Allen's alphabet soup recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: Serves: 6
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 150g (5oz) streaky bacon thinly sliced; 1 onion, peeled and diced; 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed; 1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes; 1 litre (1.75pt) chicken or vegetable stock; Salt and freshly ground; Black pepper; 1tsp caster sugar; 100g (3Hoz) alphabet pasta or other small pasta shapes; 2tbsp finely shredded basil (optional)

By Rachel Allen

published 20 September 2019

Use whatever fun shapes you can get hold of for this kids' favourite - small rings, tiny shells, little bows, stars or moons. You can also use chorizo or chicken instead of bacon

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
150g (5oz) streaky bacon thinly sliced
1 onion, peeled and diced
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 litre (1.75pt) chicken or vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground
Black pepper
1tsp caster sugar
100g (3Hoz) alphabet pasta or other small pasta shapes
2tbsp finely shredded basil (optional)

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Method

Add the olive oil to a large saucepan on a high heat and fry the bacon for 3-4 mins or until crisp and golden.
Tip in the onion and garlic, reduce the heat and gently cook for 8-10 mins or until soft but not browned. Add the tomatoes and stock and season to taste with salt, pepper and sugar.
Increase the heat a little and simmer for about 15 mins or until slightly reduced. Add the pasta shapes and continue to simmer for a further 5 mins or until the pasta is cooked.
Remove from the heat and stir in the basil (if using). Check the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper or sugar if necessary, and ladle into warm bowls.

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Rachel Allen's first television series, called Rachel’s Favourite Food, was broadcast in 2004 throughout Ireland, Canada, Australia, and Europe. A book of the same name accompanied the series, giving viewers a true insight into Rachel’s special brand of family-orientated cooking and recipes. Since then she has authored more than eight different cookery books, which have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. You may have also seen Rachel's name in the Irish Magazine or The Sunday Tribune or on BBC's Saturday Kitchen or on her own popular cooking show on Ireland's RTE network. From simple one-pot meals and roast dinners to your favourite sweet treats, we’ve got all of the best Rachel Allen recipes to choose from for perfect family meals.