Will someone please tell me... General Chat

I hope you enjoyed it! I often add celery to my mixed vegetable soup, gives it a lovely distinctive flavour.

Very easy! I just chucked in celery [mainly leaves as the celery heads we get here are mostly leaves, unlike those you get in the UK] which I just cut into pieces with a pair of kitchen scissors, some diced potato [not much], a smallish scoop of low salt parve "chicken" soup powder, and some water.

Pressed "On" and then "Menu" and a little light went from one setting to the next etc, pressed "On" again when it was on the smooth setting - and away it went. I actually sprinkled some grated cheese on top when I poured it into the large soup mug [soup in a bowl + me and a spoon = disaster] and it was delish.

It appears to cook the vegetables first and when done the chopper zoozes into action - and it took a few seconds over the 20 minutes it says it takes, from start to finish. I was actually rather surprised as I really could not see how it could be done in such a short space of time, but it did and it was far better and easier and quicker than cooking in a pan on the hob and then blitzing with a hand blender.

Can you tell you that I am hooked on the thing already?!

I do not know what you mean by double ended filter thingy as there is no such thing on mine - or on the Morphy Richards. Just two pieces - the "kettle" type thing that you put the ingredients in and the lift-off top with the motor and a chopping blade on the end of a wotsit.

Have a look at the Morphy Richards 48822 Soupmaker on Amazon - that is what the Philips looks like only the latter has five settings but no count-down timer. There are even a couple of demo video clips for the Morphy Richards. Amazon have another version of the MR which has a sauté button and is non-stick but the stainless steel interior is just as easy to clean - the Philips that I have took less than a minute to clean!

Don't you (or the machine!) have to saute the veg first?

Stick celery like you buy in the UK, is very difficult to find here and when I do its expensive, so I use Celeriac instead. This year I grew some in my veggie patch and picked the young leaves and stems, chopped them up and now have a large bag in my freezer to add to soups and casseroles. The root is delicious as a veggie either roasted, mashed with potatoes or made into chips.

Yesterday I made leek and potato soup for lunch - not in a soup maker 'cos I haven't got one - in a good old fashioned saucepan!

I have never sautéed vegetables before making soup [or casseroles or stews] but as I say, the more expensive Morphy Richards 501011 does have a sauté function.

- just checked on Argos - Morphy Richards 501012 is the same one Amazon call the MR 48822 which is the one I have bought - the one with the black top and handle. The Amazon MR 501012 is the one with the red top and handle. Exactly the same model though and Amazon are cheaper than Argos. Free delivery in the UK from Amazon as well.

I love cereriac, but Charles doesn't, and there is always far too much for one person. I suppose the surplus could go in the dog pan though. Unless of course, you know differently......

I like celeriac grated in salads. The problem with it though is that once peeled/cut/grated etc it goes brown very quickly. But it can be cubed, blanched and frozen for use in soups, stews, caseroles...

...or given to the dogs!

I have just used it [must think of a name for it, especially as I am waiting for the MR so gotta name them both] for cooking some apples and pears which were in the "help yourself" carton at the macolet and which needed using up. Cut them up, chucked them in, added a bit of fresh orange juice, and did it on the compote setting.

This thing is going to save me so much time and hassle as nothing needs stirring, nothing can burn, and it switches it self off when done.

Hooked? You bet I am!

I think you've got shares in the company making them and are trying to tempt us all into buying one.

I wish!

The one I have is a Philips and is no longer made [mine is a manufacturer's refurbished one] and t'other is Morphy Richards - and I would not mind shares in either of those companies!