As the seasons shift and cooler temperatures set in, the allure of warm and hearty meals becomes more pronounced. Many believe that soup can be enjoyed any time of the year, and for those who enthusiastically savor a bowl even in the summer heat, there’s a special joy in revisiting beloved recipes during fall and winter.
Soup is a quintessential part of comforting, seasonal cooking. Preparing a large batch not only provides a hearty dinner but also guarantees satisfying leftovers for lunch throughout the week. This forgiving dish invites experimentation with flavors and utilizes ingredients that might otherwise languish in the fridge.
Here are five delightful soup recipes that will add warmth to your kitchen this season, ranging from a zesty chorizo concoction to a quick turkey soup perfect for busy evenings. Each recipe pairs wonderfully with a hunk of crusty bread, ensuring a fulfilling culinary experience.
1. Chicken, Chorizo, and Butter Bean Soup
Serves: 4
Source: “The Farm Kitchen” by Abby Allen
Allen describes this dish as being somewhere between a soup and a stew, emphasizing its deliciousness. The best way to make this hearty soup is by utilizing leftover roasted chicken.
Ingredients:
– 3 to 4 skin-on chicken thighs
– Drizzle of canola oil
– 6 ½ oz. cooking chorizo, sliced or cubed
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
– 2 sprigs of rosemary, leaves picked and chopped
– 2 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked and chopped
– 3 bay leaves
– 1 tsp. smoked paprika
– 4 ¼ c. warmed chicken stock
– 1 tbsp. flour
– 1 to 2 tbsp. softened butter
– 7 oz. canned butter beans, drained
– Scant ½ c. heavy cream
– Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a pot, heat canola oil and add chopped onion, garlic, and chorizo until softened.
3. Add rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, smoked paprika, and chicken stock, letting it simmer.
4. Incorporate flour and butter, followed by the butter beans and cream.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving hot with crusty bread.
2. Mum’s Loving Leek and Potato Soup
Serves: 4
Source: “Cooking Fast and Slow” by Natalia Rudin
Rudin fondly recalls her mother’s leek and potato soup, sharing how it offers comfort and warmth. While her version may differ from her mother’s, she pours her heart into this recipe.
Ingredients:
– 1 to 2 tbsp. olive oil
– 3 leeks, roughly chopped
– ½ white onion, roughly chopped
– 1 tsp. fennel seeds
– ¼ tsp. grated nutmeg
– 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
– 1 large potato (unpeeled)
– 4 c. vegetable stock
– 1 to 2 tbsp. butter
– Salt and black pepper
Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté leeks, onion, fennel seeds, and garlic until softened.
2. Add potato and vegetable stock, letting simmer until the potato is tender.
3. Blend until smooth or leave slightly chunky based on preference.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
3. Lentil and Barley Soup
Serves: 8
This hearty winter soup is favored by renowned chef Jacques Pépin. Ideal for batch cooking, this recipe can be made in large quantities and frozen for later enjoyment.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb. dried lentils, washed and drained
– 4 quarts chicken or beef stock
– 1 leek, cut into ½-inch pieces
– 1 large onion, cut into ½-inch pieces
– 2 hot Italian sausages, cut into ½-inch pieces
– 2 carrots, cut into ½-inch pieces
– ½ c. pearl barley
– 5 cloves garlic, crushed
– 1 tbsp. herbes de Provence
– 1 tbsp. salt
– Optional: ½ tsp. Tabasco sauce, ½ c. grated Swiss cheese
Directions:
1. Combine lentils, stock, leeks, onion, sausages, carrots, barley, garlic, herbes de Provence, and salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 1.5 hours, until barley is cooked through.
3. For a creamy consistency, blend part of the soup before returning to the pot.
4. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm with cheese on top if desired.
These seasonal soups not only offer warmth but also reflect the joys of cooking with family recipes and shared flavors. Perfect for cozy nights in, they are meant to bring comfort and nourishment during the cold months ahead.
