Mediterranean Tomato and Bacon Soup

2. Heat the pan and add half the oil. Add onions, carrots and smoked bacon and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomato puree, cook for 5 minutes then add smoked paprika, sun-dried tomatoes, sugar and tomatoes cooking for a further 5 minutes.

4. Pour in water, softened lima beans and simmer for a further 10 minutes.

5. Season well with salt and coarsely ground black pepper and finish with the remainder of the oil.

To make your soup extra special:

Shave large flakes of fresh Parmesan cheese using a swivel grater and pile in the centre of the bowl of soup, topping carefully with torn fresh basil leaves just before serving. Serve with crusty French bread.