When the weather is cold and the days are short, there are few meals that can be as satisfying and comforting to both body and spirit as a full flavored bowl of hot home made soup for lunch or dinner. For the family's cook, making soup is a wonderful way to create full healthy meals with a minimum of fuss since everything ends up going in just one big pot. Best of all, the aromas wafting through the house from a simmering soup kettle full of good things makes meals that the whole family will look forward to sharing together.
Tasty soups come to us from the heritage of every ethic group, and soups can be simple or complex, incorporating a wide range of ingredients. Many are surprisingly easy to assemble and don't take long to cook up. Here are some of my favorites, developed to whet your appetite for good tasting new recipes that get high marks in flavor, ease of preparation and healthy eating.
The Mushroom, Leek, and Chicken Soup with Peas and Lemon Thyme is a wonderful combination of great tasting vegetables and breast of chicken all seasoned with the tantalizing citrusy herbal flavor of lemon thyme. Its as pretty as a picture with tomatoes, mushrooms and peas adding a lot of eye appeal and the mouth pleasing linguini and juicy chunks of chicken making it a low in fat, high in satisfaction meal in a bowl. Don't forget the nutty, slightly salty topping of freshly grated hard cheese that perfectly finishes the dish. This soup smells heavenly and doesn't take a long time to cook.
Chard and Potato Soup is a hearty but not heavy dish perfect for cold, wet days. You'll find this soup a delicious way to enjoy these nutritious greens with chunky potatoes and prosciutto. Add a hunk of crusty French bread and you have a complete meal in itself.
Most of us have tried classic French Onion Soup, but for a quicker, lighter, more piquant option try making our Mexican Onion Soup. This special recipe combines the full sweet flavors of roasted mild chiles with slowly caramelized onions, beer, stock and classic Mexican spices and herbs, with a spritz of fresh lime juice as a special secret ingredient. This soup makes a really zesty meal that will wake up the taste buds and stimulate lots of great conversation!
Escarole Soup is an age old favorite in Holland and Germany where the long winters of dreary weather beg for lots of richly flavored warm dishes. You'll find this soup a delicious way to enjoy these savory winter greens along with vegetables, rice and delicious little meatballs for a complete meal in itself. We've lightened the soup a bit by using turkey sausage and low fat milk, but it makes up into a memorable dish with complex flavor you'll really look forward to sharing with family and friends.
To go with your own home made soups, there is no better complement than some scrumptious Cheesy Herbed Crackers. If you've never baked up crackers before, you'll be delighted by the difference in taste and texture of homemade crispy slices fresh from the oven. We predict most will be devoured while still warm, but any leftovers make crunchy treats to store in a covered tin for snacks or appetizers.