RHYS BOWEN: I know that some of you are dealing with horrible winter storm conditions this weekend. I'm sending warming vibes your way! Also some suggestions to make life more pleasant.
I don't know about you but the moment we get the first wintery blast my mind turns to soups. We usually have a roasted chicken every week and I use the carcass to make a really good chicken stock. Then I work my way through a variety of home made , comforting soups that we eat every day for lunch.
Some favorites are: carrot and ginger
Curried parsnip
butternut squash and cinnamon apple
leek and potato.
Last week my friend (and friend of the Reds Susan Shea) presented me with this lovely book. It's full of the most yummy soups ever, including the Ribbolita she made for me. So rich and hearty and warming. I'm sharing a similar Tuscan soup that I make when we have guests in winter. It's a Tuscan chicken soup, especially easy if you have leftover chicken.
First make a base of aromatics. Carrot, celery, onion, garlic. Saute in oil then add good chicken stock. To this add a can of caneloni or white beans, plus a can of crushed tomatoes.
If you are using fresh chicken breast cut it small and saute it first. If left-over chicken breast don't add it until the aromatics are cooked through. When the chicken is warmed stir in half and half or coconut milk if you're dealing with lactose intolerance.
Finally float spinach leaves on the top until it is just wilted. You can serve with a dollop of sour cream, grated parmesan on top. Really yummy.
So what is your favorite hearty soup?
This soup sounds delicious, Rhys . . . thanks for sharing the recipe.
ReplyDeleteWe love soup any time; corn chowder is one of our favorites . . . .
Do you have your own recipe for corn chowder, Joan? Is it vegetarian?
DeleteBeer. Beer is my favorite soup.
ReplyDeleteBeer cheese soup is delicious!
DeleteYour soup looks delicious! I love a good chicken soup.
ReplyDeleteMy husband makes an excellent turkey (or chicken) wild rice soup which is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteRhys, your soup will be added to my repertoire! There is nothing like a hot comforting soup for lunch on a cold winter day! I can make a relatively quick soup with (homemade) chicken stock, red lentils, rice, tomatoes, salt, lots of fresh cracked pepper, and herbs. I think your Tuscan soup, with fresh bread will be one of our dinners this week! Here’s to good soups!
ReplyDeleteStay safe and warm everyone! Be smart about shoveling. Don't drive unless you absolutely must.
ReplyDeleteI make soup frequently, even in summer. Most of the time I make my own vegetable broth, then I know exactly what is in it. One of our favorite soups is Hungarian Mushroom Soup from the Moosewood Cookbook. My other favorite is Sweet Potato, Apple, Red Lentil Soup. It is delicious hot or cold. Totally vegan. Adjust spices to fit you preferences. I'll post it here later this morning.
Irwin quietly turned 80 yesterday. No party. No fanfare. We are blessed.
Happy birthday to Irwin, and from my point on the measuring stick, 80 is not old. Just getting started...and quietly is the best!
DeleteHappy birthday to Irwin!
DeleteI made a delicious creamy tomato-pink lentil soup recently for the new parents. Otherwise I like a hearty chicken soup (with of course homemade stock) or a seafood soup full of fish and shrimp and veggies and rice.
ReplyDeleteFish chowder, especially if I have fresh oysters and their liquor. NO TOMATOES – abomination in this soup – sorry Maine people. Must be served as made – cream or canned milk added to beginnings (did you know that canned milk is less likely to curdle if your mind goes elsewhere and you overheat the soup?) and then poured hot over fish already in the bowl thereby cooking it. No serving the second day – needs to be made hot and fresh.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, any soup made from base of onions, garlic, celery, carrots, a dollop of hot pepper sauce (level added can do anything from just bringing out the flavour of the other ingredients, to blowing your hair off) and a piece or two of chicken. After that add what you want or have in the fridge – noodle, ramen, macaroni, cabbage, even beans of any sort – your imagination and the cupboard is the limit. Another guest or two – add more water and another package of ramen. What a hostess!!!
By the way, this recipe, like many of mine is not reproducible – what you taste today, you will never taste again. Sorry.