Apple, vine tomato & smoked bacon soup

[Landlord]

Right - a Mother's Day option (i.e. Sunday lunch-type affair) in a country pub setting (i.e. not haute-cuisine).

Would you order this variant of soup?

I have my opinion, Landlady has hers... I'd really like a straw-poll opinion too!

Thanks!

[Plotloss]

Sounds alright but the apple will need to stake its claim, as if it doesnt, its just there to add to the wkiness.

Vine tomato, smoked bacon/pancetta and basil soup served with large cheese topped garlic croutons could be a potential alternative.

[Zen.]

For me it's a no....the apple just doesn't sit right, for me I'd prefer a roast tomato and smoked bacon soup with herb croûtons and crème fraîche.

[missdiane]

Sounds nice but I would not put too much emphasis on the apple, less apple or another fruit. Fig?

[missdiane]

In fact, you won't need another sweet thing in it, the tomatoes will make it sweet enough.

[smiller]

Yebbut, maybe if the apple was of the right variety it could add some acidity to counter the sweetness of the toms and the saltiness of the lardons / bacon / pancetta?

[Chim Girl]

From a taste perspective I can't see (taste) what it is going to add.

Also, assuming you offer the choice of more than one soup, when people order food don't they tend to ask for it by the primary ingredient? Can you imagine your diners reading the menu and then saying "Mother will have the apple soup"?

[mrsshpub]

I often cook a shoulder of pork long & slow in apple juice with onions, garlic, ginger, allspice etc. then use the resultant stock to make a vegetable soup — usually including a generous amount of tomato puree & canned chopped tomatoes. Apple in soup may sound a bit odd — but, believe me, it's seriously good & the acidity of the tomatoes somehow balances the slight sweetness of the apple.

Edited by mrsshpub on Sunday 8th March 09:21

[Landlord]

Just to state my position - I didn't like the idea. Apple and tomato don't sit right with me - furthermore, apple in a soup just doesn't "sound" right.

Now - if the soup had apple in it but it wasn't meantioned in the description, I'd not have a problem. It's having it listed, plus having it first that makes me think of baby food!

The longer I'm "in the business" the more I see how important the description is. We once did a steak and ale pie and sales were slow. We then called it "hearty" steak and ale pie and it flew out!

Thanks for the opinons so far everyone!

[sleep envy]

Landlord said:

Now - if the soup had apple in it but it wasn't meantioned in the description, I'd not have a problem. It's having it listed, plus having it first that makes me think of baby food!

you're bang on the money according to T - drop the apple

[10 Pence Short]

Ditch the apple and swap it for red onion. Works very well with smoked bacon and charred vine tomato.

[Landlord]

10 Pence Short said:

Ditch the apple and swap it for red onion. Works very well with smoked bacon and charred vine tomato.

I'll run that by Chef. Cheers 10p.

Thanks Ric (and T!)

Edited by Landlord on Sunday 8th March 14:16