STONE SOUP

A RECEIPT TO MAKE STONE SOUP ( DOVER 1808 ) 'Take a large stone, put it into a sufficient quantity of boiling water , properly season it with pepper and salt ; add 3 or 4 pounds of good beef;a handful of pot herbs , some onions , a cabbage and 3 or 4 carrots . When the soup is ready the stone may be thrown away' . STONE SOUP ..... In keeping with tradition I use a stone when preparing this soup . Place a medium sized stone in a large saucepan along with 6 cups of vegetable stock . Add 1 finely chopped onion , 2 tbs of minced garlic , 200gm of diced bacon , 1 ham hock ,2 potatoes diced , 2 carrots diced ,2 turnips diced , 2 stalks of celery diced and 2 bay leaves. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat , cover and simmer till the vegetables are tender . Then add 150 gm of savoy cabbage (shredded )and a 400gm can of red kidney beans ( drained ) Continue to simmer until the cabbage is tender . Remove the ham hock and pull the meat into shreds . Return the meat to the saucepan , add 1/2 cup of fresh parsley ( chopped ) Season with pepper and salt to taste . Remove stone prior to serving.