When the weather outside is frightful, a warm bowl of soup can be so delightful. This is especially true when that soup is easy to make and calls for ingredients you likely already have on hand. Instead of resorting to take-out or gasp! opening a can, try your hand at making one of these five delicious soups. Bon appetit!
1. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup 2. Creamy Potato Soup 3. Tomato Basil Soup 4. Chicken Noodle Soup 5. Split Pea Soup 6. Miso Soup 7. Ramen
1. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
This Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is the perfect fall soup! It's easy to make, deliciously creamy, and full of comforting flavors. Butternut squash is roasted in the oven until it's nice and caramelized. Then, it's pureed with some chicken or vegetable stock, and a bit of cream (you could also use milk, or even just water). The soup is finished off with a touch of maple syrup, and some fresh sage leaves. This soup can be made completely vegetarian/vegan by using vegetable stock, and omitting the cream (or using a non-dairy alternative). It's also gluten-free. This Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is the perfect fall soup! It's easy to make, deliciously creamy, and full of comforting flavors. Butternut squash is roasted in the oven until it's nice and caramelized. Then, it's pureed with some chicken or vegetable stock, and a bit of cream (you could also use milk, or even just water). The soup is finished off with a touch of maple syrup, and some fresh sage leaves. This soup can be made completely vegetarian/vegan by using vegetable stock, and omitting the cream (or using a non-dairy alternative). It's also gluten-free. To make this soup, you'll need:
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed 1 tbsp. olive oil Salt and pepper 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1/2 cup cream (or milk) 1 tbsp. maple syrup Fresh sage leaves Start by roasting the butternut squash. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss the cubed butternut squash with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Spread the squash out on a baking sheet, and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring a few times, until the squash is cooked and caramelized. While the squash is roasting, you can prepare the rest of the soup. In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable stock to a simmer. When the squash is done roasting, add it to the pot of stock. Use an immersion blender (or a regular blender) to puree the squash until the soup is smooth. Stir in the cream (or milk), and the maple syrup. Taste the soup, and adjust the seasoning as necessary. If you want a bit more sweetness, add more maple syrup. If you want it more savory, add some salt and pepper. Garnish the soup with fresh sage leaves, and serve. Enjoy!
2. Creamy Potato Soup
When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than a bowl of hot soup to warm you up from the inside out. This creamy potato soup is the perfect comfort food to help you thaw out on a chilly day. This creamy potato soup is incredibly easy to make. Start by peeling and chopping a few potatoes into small pieces. Then, add the potatoes to a pot of boiling water and let them cook until they’re soft. While the potatoes are boiling, you can start on the soup’s creamy base. In a separate pot, melt some butter over low heat. Once the butter has melted, add in some flour and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Slowly pour in some milk, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Once the milk has been added, turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, turn the heat back down and let the soup simmer for a few minutes. Now it’s time to add the potatoes to the soup. Just drain them and add them into the pot with the rest of the soup. Season the soup with some salt and pepper to taste. If you want, you can also add in some chopped green onions or shredded cheese as toppings. But this soup is just as delicious on its own. Serve it hot with a few crusty pieces of bread for a complete meal.
3. Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup heavy cream Directions: 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. 2. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. 3. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream. Serve hot.
4. Chicken Noodle Soup
When the weather outside is frightful, there's nothing more comforting than a big bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. This timeless classic is easy to make and can be easily customized to your liking. Here's a basic recipe to get you started: Ingredients: -1 pound of chicken breast, cooked and shredded -8 cups of chicken broth -1 onion, chopped -3 carrots, peeled and diced -3 celery stalks, diced -1 bay leaf -1 teaspoon of dried thyme -1/2 teaspoon of black pepper -1/2 teaspoon of salt -1/2 pound of egg noodles -Chopped parsley, for garnish Instructions: 1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, and salt. 2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. 3. Add the shredded chicken and egg noodles to the pot, and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. 4. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal. This chicken noodle soup recipe is hearty and satisfying, but feel free to get creative with it. For example, you could add some chopped greens like spinach or kale, or swap out the egg noodles for another type of pasta. Use this recipe as a starting point and make it your own.
5. Split Pea Soup
A dutch pea soup recipe that's been passed down for generations, this split pea soup is the perfect meal to enjoy on a cold winter day. Packed with protein and fiber, this hearty soup will keep you full and satisfied all afternoon long. To make this soup even more delicious, top it with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of freshly-chopped chives. Ingredients: 1 pound dried green split peas 8 cups water 1 ham bone or ham hock 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Instructions: 1. Rinse the split peas and then sorted through them to remove any debris. 2. In a large soup pot, combine the split peas, water, ham bone and onion. 3. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. 4. Add the carrot, celery, bay leaf, salt and pepper to the soup and continue simmering for another 30 minutes. 5. Remove the ham bone from the soup and then use a handheld immersion blender to puree the soup until it's smooth. 6. Serve the soup hot, topped with sour cream and chives, if desired. Enjoy!
6. Miso Soup
Miso soup is a delicious and easy-to-make soup that is perfect for any occasion. The best thing about miso soup is that it can be made with any type of miso paste, so you can choose your favorite flavor. Miso paste is available at most grocery stores, and it is a great ingredient to have on hand for making soup. To make miso soup, you will need: 1 cup of miso paste 6 cups of water 1 teaspoon of salt 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar 1 tablespoon of soy sauce 1 tablespoon of sesame oil 1 tablespoon of mirin 1 teaspoon of grated ginger 1 clove of garlic, minced 8 ounces of firm tofu, cubed 1 cup of chopped greens To make the soup, simply combine the miso paste, water, salt, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, ginger, and garlic in a pot and stir until the miso paste is dissolved. Then, add the tofu and greens and simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!
7. Ramen
Ramen is a delicious and easy to make soup that is perfect for a winter meal. The following recipe is for a traditional Ramen soup that can be made in under 30 minutes. Ingredients: -1 tablespoon vegetable oil -1 onion, chopped -3 cloves garlic, minced -1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces -6 cups chicken broth -1 tablespoon soy sauce -1 tablespoon rice vinegar -1 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon black pepper -1 (7-ounce) package dried ramen noodles -2 green onions, thinly sliced Instructions: 1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 2. Add the chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. 4. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to package instructions. 5. Serve the soup topped with green onions.
Soup is an easy and delicious way to warm up on a cold winter day. These five recipes are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. From hearty chili and chicken noodle soup, to creamy potato and broccoli soup, there's something for everyone. So grab a spoon and enjoy!
