Happy National Soup Month

Guest Blogger: Kathleen of Deja Vu Cook 

I was making a list of the top ten favorite recipes from the readers on my website and at the same time I saw that it was National Soup Month (January).  During the first year of trying to document family, friends and my recipes I was fortunate to meet @SeriouslySoupy (Twitter).  She has wonderful ideas, recipes, classes and events in New York all about soup.  She invited me to guest post on her site Seriously Soupy a few times and we share recipes.  This list was great for me to review of my own soups that I make and people would like.  The biggest surprise was the interest in chilled soups.  Living in Florida it is normal for chilled soups, but three out of ten was not only great but an inspiration to create more chilled soups for 2011.  Enjoy!


Corn Chowder with Bacon

Soupe a l’Oignon Gratinee

Split Pea and Ham Soup (and a lot of Carrots) 

Potage Crecy (French Carrot Soup)

Saint Lioba Beer and Mushroom Soup
 
Tanzanian Coconut Bean Soup

Chilled Pea and Mint Soup

Cuban Black Bean Soup

Chilled Zucchini Soup

Chilled Cucumber and Dill Soup

To read more recipes by Kathleen, be sure to check out her blog, "Deja Vu" Cook. 

Parsnip, Leek, and Apple Soup

Parsnip, Leek, and Apple Soup - Seriously Soupy

A simple soup recipe, this parsnip, leek, and apple soup was also the mystery soup at the soup party last week. Packed with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, this delicious and healthy fall soup is a great way to use ingredients that you likely have at home that also takes virtually no time to cook. The result was a silky and creamy soupy that is perfect for those crisp fall days.

If you happen to be in Brooklyn this weekend, be sure to check out the Prospect Farm Harvest Fest for an afternoon of music, games, tours and a soup cook-off!

Taster's Choice: Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup and a Soup Quiz!

The people have spoken and they want Butternut Squash Soup!

Note to Self: Make Better Signs for the Next Party!

On Wednesday, I had my very first soup party at Jimmy's No. 43 to celebrate my one-year of soup making/blogging. But really, I wanted start an on-going communal experience of sharing food, networking and seeing old and meeting new ones friends. 

For this first party, I made a ribollita (bread and white bean soup), a roasted root vegetable and turkey stew, Rachel Mamane's beef and cabbage stew, and a butternut squash and carrot soup - also now known as the Taster's Choice. There was also a mystery soup that Jessica Hulett of Blind Cavefish (followed quickly by Amy Cao of Amy Blog Chow) correctly stated was a parsnip soup - well, really a parsnip apple soup that Emily Mak of eating with emak also noted had onions.

Amy Cao and Sanura Weathers of Team Gazpacho explaining their soup

Jake, Joann, Evan and Matt Working on Their Soup 

Team Potato and Leek - Maritza, Judith and Lori - Figuring out Their Soup

Sister Soupy aka Maritza Norr Showing Her Support

Soup Party Preview: Ribollita (Bread Soup)

Ribollita (Bread Soup) - Seriously Soupy

It's finally here; the soup party! For the past couple of days, I have been thinking about nothing other than soup (not that this is any different of any other day), but mainly because people would actually be tasting my soup and not reading about my recipes or me stating how delicious, good and hearty they are. Tonight's event will include four soups (one of which is from a Russian cabbage and beef soup recipe by Rachel Mamane of Brooklyn Bouillon who won the fall soup contest) and this hearty (can't resist the term) ribollita. Similar to a minestrone soup (minus the red beans and the pasta), this bread soup includes kale, bread, and white beans and savory herbs like rosemary and basil. Another quick and simple fall soup, I can't wait to take some recipes out of my small kitchen and finally have people (other than Mr. Soupy) try them. If you can't attend, I hope you enjoy this comforting bowl of soup and perhaps you can join us for the next soup party...

Soup notes - the tasting part is the most exciting

Talking about Winter Soups

It's officially winter (again!) and although I'm not the biggest fan of the cold I'm pretty excited about the season for the soups. Generally, winter soups are considered those that are "richer" or have a more "hearty" texture because they contain more solid ingredients as opposed to broth-based soups (chicken noodle is an exception).

Here is a rundown of some winter soups:

1. Butternut Squash Soup-Also popular during the season are pumpkin, sweet potato, and potato based soups. A rich texture that is sure to fill you up and comfort your chilly bones. (Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup)
2. Minestrone Soup (an upcoming soupy as well)-A delicious medley where you can add veggie you want to add, along with beans and pasta. A meal in a bowl, indeed.
3. Bean-Based Soups-I personally love a good lentil soup, but there are tons of bean soups that are a staple of winter. Some alternatives include  white bean, black black, split pea, etc. (Black Bean Soup)
4. Chicken Noodle Soup- A classic and not just for sick days.
5. Stew-beef, chicken, fish, veggie-A filing soup that uses a blend of ingredients (carrots, onions, potatoes, etc) that are cooked slowly and at a low temp as all the flavors fuse together. A comforting winter staple soup!

Do tell- What are your favorite winter soupys?

Seriously Soupy Serena