Simple Seasonal Soups

Busy cooks appreciate the simplicity of soup, and with fall in full swing, this versatile dish is a welcome sight at mealtime. Not only is it warm and inviting, but soup can also be tailored to fit a variety of palates from meat lovers to vegetarians. The following autumnal soup recipes are designed especially for soup lovers looking to incorporate fresh fall vegetables into their diet: EASY BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP Ingredients: 6 cups vegetable broth One 2-pound butternut squash (quartered, seeded, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces) 5 thyme sprigs 2 garlic cloves, halved 2 medium leeks, white and pale … Continue reading →

Welcome To Autumn Soups

If you live in the Upper Midwest, then you may be wondering what happened to autumn. We went from sunshine and 60-degree days last week to a weekend filled with snow and below freezing temps. On the bright side, the premature snowfall inspired me to cook up some of my family’s favorite seasonal soups. After all, nothing says fall like a flavor-packed bowl of hearty soup (even though it feels more like winter outside). The following recipes are not only simple to make, but they can be infused with additional fall flavors by adding fresh seasonal vegetables from your own … Continue reading →

Simple Summer Soups

Soups during the dog days of summer? It doesn’t seem practical, right? On the contrary, chilled soups are a delicious way to cool off during the sweltering summer months. In addition, with all of the fresh produce being offered at local farmer’s markets and in your own backyard, the following recipes should come in very handy: SUMMER MINESTRONE Ingredients: 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 medium onion, chopped 1 medium carrots, peeled and chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon dried basil 4 large garlic cloves, minced 1 medium sized zucchini, diced 1 medium yellow summer squash, … Continue reading →

Simple Soup Recipes

Soup’s versatility makes it one of my all-time favorite dishes. It doesn’t take a ton of skill or time to whip up a big pot of hearty homemade soup. What’s more, a single pot can yield dinner plus leftovers for a quick and nutritious lunch the next day. The following recipes are among my very favorites. The Corned Beef Soup is ideal for using up leftover St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef. Meanwhile, the Bratwurst Soup is a crock pot classic that cooks on its own while you tend to more important tasks. CORNED BEEF SOUP Ingredients: 1 tablespoon chicken paste … Continue reading →

International Soup Recipes

Despite the fact that temperatures were in the 80s during our recent trip to Hawaii, I couldn’t help but indulge in some of my favorite soup recipes. I am very fortunate to have an extended family of wonderful cooks, who love to feed visiting foodies. The Chicken Jook and Sausage and Bean Soup can be made in slow cookers, making preparation and clean up a breeze. Meanwhile, the Roast Pork Kim Chee Soup is bursting with flavor and is just as fast and easy to make as the Chicken Jook and Sausage and Bean Soup. All three are ideal for … Continue reading →

Comfort Food: Homemade Soup and Croutons

A lazy Sunday afternoon is the perfect time to make a large pot of steaming hot soup. Not only will it help warm you up on cold winter’s day, but also if you plan ahead you can make enough to take to work the next day. This recipe for Classic Tuscan White Bean Soup will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas, as will the homemade croutons, which give off an enticing scent of warm garlic: CLASSIC TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SOUP Ingredients: 2 cups dried cannellini or other white beans, rinsed, soaked overnight and drained 6 cups water 1 teaspoon salt … Continue reading →

Comfort Food Recipes: Soup’s On

Just when I thought winter was fading, we get hit with another windchill warning. According to local meteorologists, it will feel like –20 to –40 in parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota today. Oh joy. If you are battling the winter blues, then the following recipe might help improve your mood. Roasted Stuffed Pepper Soup is the ideal comfort food, especially on frigid winter days. Warning: This is not a soup you want to make if you are in a hurry. It requires multiple steps and takes more than an hour to prepare. On the bright side, the flavors are incredible … Continue reading →

Warm Up with Homemade Chowder

It’s one of the cheapest ways to warm up your family on a bitterly cold winter’s day–stirring up a pot full of steaming hot soup. Homemade soups and chowders are simple to prepare and make for quick and healthy midweek meals. The following recipes are not only affordable, but they also feature ingredients that even your pickiest eaters will happily devour: CRAB AND PEPPER JACK CHEESE CHOWDER Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 cups onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup red bell pepper, diced 1 14-ounce can low-fat chicken broth 1 cup water 1 teaspoon ground cumin … Continue reading →

More Hearty Winter Soup Recipes: Turkey and Rice and Tropical Chicken

The Midwest is bracing for record cold temperatures today and tomorrow, while people in the East are hunkering down to take on the big chill later this week. While hot soup may not help jump start your car in the morning, it does help warm a body on a cold winter’s day. The following soups are affordable ways to feed large families on frigid days. Both are simple to make and can doubled if you want leftovers or are hosting a soup party: TROPICAL CHICKEN SOUP Ingredients: 2-3 pounds chicken thighs, cut in half (use boneless, skinless chicken thighs) 3 … Continue reading →

Tips for Hosting a Winter Soup Party

With Old Man Winter working overtime, this is the ideal time to host a winter soup party. This week I will be sharing a variety of recipes for those of you looking to share a hearty helping of delicious homemade soup with extended family and friends or those who simply want an easy and affordable way to warm up on a cold winter’s day. If you choose the former, then consider the following tips to ensure your winter soup party goes off without a hitch: POTLUCK. Just because you are hosting the soup party doesn’t necessarily mean you need to … Continue reading →