Cock-a-Leekie Soup

No Burn's Supper is complete without a starter of cock a leekie soup - a deliciously simple concoction of chicken, leeks and prunes.

Cut the chicken into its component parts. Separate the drumsticks and thighs, and cut the breasts in half. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan and brown the chicken pieces in it. Add about 4 litres (8.5 pints) of water to a large saucepan, add the chicken carcass and the chicken pieces.

Roughly chop the bacon, onion, carrot and celery.

Return the frying pan to the heat with some more oil and sauté the bacon, onion, carrot and celery for 5-10 minutes. Add them to the frying pan along with the herbs, bring to the boil, put a lid on the pan and simmer for one hour.

Neatly slice the leeks, including the green top. Cut the prunes in half and discard the stones. Strain the liquid from the pan and add the cooked chicken pieces, but not the carcass. Add the leeks and prunes to the soup and cook for a further 30 minutes.