Hi there, it is August and it is raining and cold here in the uk. Better put away the bbq and pull out the soup cauldron.
  
Warming summer vegetable soup for a cold summer day  
 

4 big beetroots – cooked
6 stalks celery
3 giant zucchinis (called courgettes over here)
2 dried, crushed chillis
at least 1 cubed inch of grated ginger (if not more)
salt and pepper to taste
I BIG SPOON of horseradish sauce (the kind where the horseradish is in a creamy sauce) OR 1 tsp of horseradish “neat”
1 big handful of pearl barley
1 big handful of brown lentils

1.5 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes

Water to cover for cooking and then to thin the soup to the consistency of your choice
 
I bung everything into the pressure cooker and then it takes about 15 minutes (barley and lentils are the culprits, given the beetroot is already cooked).  In a conventional pot it will take at least 30 mins until the barley is cooked.  Blend in a blender or with a hand blender.  Eat piping hot whilst striding around the kitchen trying to stay warm.  Best eaten with the easiest bread rolls in the world: http://www.virtuousbread.com/make-bread/recipies/bread-to-amaze-and-amuse/