Valentine's Day Soup Recipes

Happy Valentine's Day -(Image Credit: wallpapergate.com)

Since it is Valentine's Day I instantly thought of making a chocolate soup - actually a chocolate hazelnut soup with lemon cake croutons. The problem was it turned out to be a watery mess and more of a hot chocolate than a soup. Luckily, there tons of inspirational soup recipes out there whose ideas I decided to include a rundown soup post that includes everything from tomato soup (said to be an aphrodisiac), oyster stew (another aphrodisiac) and an amazing, but light chocolate soup. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Chocolate Soup for Two - (Image Credit: Sprinkle Bakes)

 1. Chocolate Soup for Two - There is no denying this is the perfect soup for Valentine's Day. The ultimate sweet treat, this low-fat chocolate soup by Sprinkle Bakes includes Ghiradelli semisweet baking chips (but can use many types of chocolates), skim milk, fat free half and half, vanilla extract, cream cheese and marshmellow cream to complete this velvety V-Day soup.

Spiced Berry Soup with Caramelized Peaches and Toasted Almonds - (Image Credit: Planet Green)

2. Spiced Berry Soup with Caramelized Peaches and Toasted Almonds -  For those of you that don't like chocolate (who are you?) or maybe want something lighter this V-Day, check out this delicious berry soup by Emeril. Using blackberries, blueberries, or mulberries, peach juice, honey, goat milk, toasted slivered almonds and subtle flavorings of cinnamon, honey, nutmeg and vanilla extract, this soup is a rich treat that is packed with antioxidants. The caramelized white peaches is also a delicious topper to the soup that is made from port, sugar and cardamom.

3.  Roasted Apple Love Soup - A cute name for a delicious-sounding soup. This soup actually uses tomatoes (despite its name) that is said have "aphrodisiac powers." It can be served hot or cold and includes some basic ingredients (garlic, onions, olive oil, and cherry tomatoes) that would make a nice starter for any Valentine's feast. 

Tomato Pesto Soup - Seriously Soupy

4. Tomato Pesto Soup - Keeping with the tomato soup theme,  I included my light tomato pesto soup. Using homemade pesto and a colorful mix of heirloom tomatoes, this simple (but tasty soup) would also be a great light pasta sauce or a light sauce for a fish dish you might be serving up.

Oyster Stew by "Deja Vu" Cook

5. Oyster Stew - Oysters are supposedly an aphrodisiac that are said to increase ones sexual desire. Somewhat psychological this isn't proven but always shows up as a dish of choice on Valentine's Day. Although I can't say either way, the idea of its hidden powers is enough to feature this oyster stew, by Kathleen of "DejaVu" Cook, in this Soupy rundown. 

What soups are you making this Valentine's Day?
Seriously Soupy Serena

Oyster Stew

Oyster Stew by Deja Vu Cook

Guest Blogger: Kathleen of Deja Vu Cook 

When it is time for fish and shellfish stew and chowder I think of many places in New England and all the fabulous meals shared.  I grew up in Connecticut with all the relatives in Boston and many summers on Cape Cod, so those recipes share a special place in my heart and home.  “Oyster Stew” is always on the menu during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holidays for me.  This tradition started for me in Goshen, Connecticut in the mid-70s.  A couple friends of mine bought a 200-year-old salt-box in the Town of Goshen, Connecticut and I spent many happy holiday times with them through the years.  Oyster Stew was part of their tradition and immediately was adopted by me.  Oh, that was easy, I love oysters!   But it is also one of the first soups I make when the weather changes here in Florida.  Today is the third day I have my windows open so all the soup recipes are coming out of the cupboards.  

Oyster Stew
Ingredients:
16 0z. shucked oysters and their liquid
1/2 C. onion (diced)
1/2 C. celery (peeled and diced)
6 T. unsalted butter
1/2 t. worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 C – 2 C.  heavy cream
Freshly ground pepper (season to taste)
1-2 oz. dry sherry (optional)
Chopped parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Pick through the oysters carefully removing any bits of shell
2. Place in a sauce pan with their liquid and 2 C. of water and heat til the oysters begin to curl
3. Remove and set aside, strain the liquid and set aside
4. Simmer the onion and celery in butter in a soup pot until tender (approx. 6 minutes)
5. Add the oyster liquid and heavy cream and heat “almost” to the boiling point, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes
6. Stir in the Worcestershire
7. Add the oysters and season to taste with pepper
8. Pour into warmed bowls and add (1 t. sherry to each bowl-Optional) 
9. Garnish with chopped parsley

(Serves 4)
(Compliments of John Totino, Architect)
Adapted from the book “Jasper White’s Cooking from New England” by Jasper White

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

Do you have a soup that you would like to contribute to Seriously Soupy? Email me at seriouslysoupy@gmail.com for more details!