This tasty tomato soup with Italian scones recipe is perfect for an after school snack

You want something nutritious, but you also want something quick and handy.

With the weather not being able to make up it's mind this season, it's safe to say that a lot of kids are coming home with coughs and runny noses. However, this healthy Italian soup and scones recipe will keep them fed and happy (and hopefully keep any colds at bay). Check out the simple tasty below. Tomato soup Serves 4 Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon rapeseed oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Siúcra caster sugar
• 250ml vegetable stock
• 4 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 100g mascarpone

Method

1. Heat the oil in a medium sized pot.
2. Add the onion and cook on a low heat until soft but not coloured. This takes about 7-8 minutes.
3. Add the garlic, sea salt and black pepper and continue to cook for another minute, stirring frequently.
4. Add the tins of tomatoes, caster sugar and the stock to the pot.
5. Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in the basil leaves and mascarpone. Bring back to the boil and then simmer for another minute, stirring frequently.
7. Blend with a hand blender until you have a smooth soup.
8. Taste for seasoning and serve.

Italian scones Makes 10 Ingredients

• 250g plain white flour
• 200g wholemeal flour
• 1 heaped teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 150g butter, diced
• 25g Siúcra light golden brown sugar
• Half a ball of mozzarella, diced
• 50g sundried tomatoes, drained of oil and diced
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 large egg + 1 beaten egg for glazing
• 210ml milk

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170° fan.
2. To a large bowl add the two flours, baking powder and salt and stir to mix.
3. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
4. Add the light golden brown sugar, mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and basil leaves and stir well.
5. Make a well in the centre. Add the egg and the milk and mix. If the mix is too dry add a splash more of milk or if the mix is too wet add a sprinkling of flour.
6. Dust your worktop with some flour. Put your dough on top and bring together into a ball. Do not overwork or knead the dough. Roll to approx. 3cm thick.
7. Cut out scones with a round cutter (I use a 7cm cutter) and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
8. Brush with the beaten egg.
9. Bake for approx. 20 minutes until cooked through and golden on top.
10. Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.