Soups are one of the most popular dishes to serve, especially in the colder weather. Not only are they soul-warming, but they offer the cook the utmost in creativity, are usually better made well ahead of serving time, and are a great way to use left-overs. Enjoy 7 great recipes! Chef Ivan Flowers shares his Quick Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe and talks about making the basis of all soups, a good, tasty stock. Cookbook author Ruth Milstein shares tips on making soups and hearty stews, and her husband Howard, a wine expert, suggests some wine pairings. Glynn Burrows, our English correspondent offers Bonfire Soup, an easy no-fuss recipe just right for cold, windy weather. Innkeeper Leah Launey from Three Rivers Bed and Breakfast shares her thick, creamy Sweet Potato Soup and Chef Thomas Wright from the Yuma Landing Bar & Grill gives us a recipe for Celery Root Soup.
Taste as you go is a good rule, adding your seasoning a bit at a time, so you don’t overdo it. It’s always fun to experiment, but here are some known combinations of herbs and spice that work together well. Bean Soups like Cumin, Dill Seed, Summer Savory, Tarragon, and sometimes Mint. Chicken Soups like Cumin, Ginger, Marjoram, Rosemary, Tarragon and Sage. Beef Soups like Bay Leaves, Chervil, and Parsley. Clam Chowders and Fish based soups like Marjoram, Thyme, Caraway Seeds and Green Dill. Fruit Soups like Allspice, Cardamom, Cinnamon, and Mace. Cold Soups like Celery Seed, Chives, Garlic, Green Dill, and a splash of Tabasco Sauce. Vegetable Soups like Basil, Chervil, Oregano, Sage, Summer Savory, Thyme, Bay Leaves, Tarragon and Marjoram.
Toasted, crusty bread topped with a bit of cheese and garlic butter, sets the soup off, and it is important to garnish your soup with fresh herbs, freshly-ground pepper, and some crunchy croutons to add flavor and texture.
Pea Soups like Cardamom Seed, Basil, Coriander, Cumin, Curry Powder, Mint, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon and Thyme.
Some great garnishes for soup include chervil, chives, fennel seeds, paprika, parsley, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, a dollop of sour cream or unsweetened whipped cream.
Mushroom Soups like Oregano and Tarragon.
Potato Soups just love Mustard Seed, Rosemary and Sage.
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