In the fourth episode of A Recipe For..., Sir Lenny Henry, Honorary Life President and Co-Founder of Comic Relief, joins Si King to share a bowl of his beloved Saturday Soup.
The dish is steeped in Caribbean flavour and rich with the warmth of joyful childhood memories - when Lenny's mum would make this for him and his siblings on a Saturday when they were growing up.
Saturday Soup is typically cooked with mutton or lamb and includes dumplings, carrots, yam and red kidney beans. It's simmered for several hours until the meat falls apart, making it the perfect recipe for busy families who are looking for low effort, nutritious and filling meals.
Throughout the episode, Lenny shares the memories triggered by the taste of his beloved Saturday Soup - from the fiery lesson his sister taught him with a stealthy scotch bonnet, to afternoons sleeping by the television after enjoying this hearty meal. The dish serves as a powerful and emotional thread, tying together family, culture, and comfort.
Since founding Comic Relief in 1985, Lenny has been a passionate advocate against food poverty, shining a light on the societal challenge. In this heartfelt conversation, he reflects on the resilience and creativity his mum demonstrated in his childhood making the most of the ingredients they had in the cupboard when money was running low, as well as the enduring importance of empathy and how collective action can help drive meaningful change.
The series is part of the Sainsbury’s programme with Comic Relief, which aims to tackle food poverty and ensure everyone has access to the joy, memories and connection that food brings. Since 2022, Sainsbury’s partnership with Comic Relief has delivered over 59 million meals, through over £24 million of funding, to families who need it most. The food-focused programme is built on a shared vision of a future where everyone has access to the joy of good food, every mealtime, and supporting people to become more food secure.
The next episode of A Recipe For… is a Christmas special featuring Comic Relief supporter and Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Shirley Ballas. Shirley joins Si to discuss her own festive food memories of time spent with family and the importance of everyone being able to access good food.
