The word ‘soup’ is derived from the French word ‘Soupe’. Soup is generally a liquid food, served warm or cold, usually as the first course or entrée, i.e., before the main meal.
A ‘soup kitchen’ refers to a place which serves any prepared food to the homeless. Here, I have used the term merely to signify a kitchen where soup is cooked and served.
My very first soup was a Tomato and Basil Soup, which my father is still greatly fond of. During my late teenage years I took to a grave liking of the Sweet Corn and Chicken Soup – anywhere I would go to, I would order the same; I could have only that and nothing else, but that I must have. Now, due to my recent obsession with crab meat, I’m irrevocably in love with Crab Soup of any kin and kind.
So, to the soup lovers, I present you with four mouthwatering soup recipes, which I hope you will make, love and enjoy to bits.
French Onion Soup
Serves: 8
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil, 4 cups thinly sliced sweet onion, 4 cups thinly vertically sliced red onion, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup dry white wine, 8 cups less-sodium beef broth, 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 8 slices French bread (cut into 1-inch cubes), 8 slices reduced-fat reduced-sodium Swiss cheese
Directions: Heat olive oil in an oven over medium heat. Sauté the onions for 5 minutes. Stir in sugar, pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Increase heat to high, and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in wine, and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and thyme; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours. Preheat broiler. Place bread in a single layer on a baking sheet; broil 2 minutes, turning after 1 minute. Place ovenproof bowls in the oven. Ladle 1 cup soup into each bowl. Put bread over the soup and top each serving with 1 cheese slice. Broil 3 minutes.
Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Serves: 6
Ingredients: Cooking spray, 1 cup chopped onion, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 3 cups fat-free less-sodium chicken broth, 1 package broccoli florets , 2 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk , 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 8 ounces light processed cheese (cubed)
Directions: Heat a large non stick saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 3 minutes. Add broth and broccoli. Bring broccoli mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes. Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Add milk mixture to the broccoli mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in pepper. Remove from heat. Add cheese and stir. Place one-third of the soup in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Return soup mixture to pan.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Serves: 8
Ingredients:1cup uncooked quick-cooking wild rice, cooking spray, 1 cup chopped onion, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 3 cups fat-free less-sodium chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups cubed peeled baking potato, 3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 10 ounce light processed cheese (cubed), 2 cups chopped roasted skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts), 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt , 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions: Cook rice according to package directions. Heat a large oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic and sauté 3 minutes. Add broth and potato, and then bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Combine milk and flour, stirring well with a whisk. Add the milk mixture to potato mixture. Stir. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir in rice, chicken, pepper, and salt.
Tortilla Meatball Soup
Serves: 6
Ingredients: 2 jalapeño peppers, 1 red bell pepper, 2 ears corn on the cob, 4 corn tortillas (cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips), Cooking spray, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (divided), 6 garlic cloves (minced and divided), 1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), 1 pound ground sirloin, 1 large egg (lightly beaten), 1 chipotle chile (canned in adobo sauce, minced), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cups chopped onion, 2 cups cubed red potatoes, 1 cup slices carrot, 3 cups fat-free lower-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions: Preheat broiler. Cut jalapeños and bell pepper in half lengthwise (discard seeds and membranes). Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Arrange corn on baking sheet with peppers. Broil 6 minutes. Place peppers in a paper bag. Seal the bag. Let stand 15 minutes and peel. Mince jalapeños, and coarsely chop bell pepper. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Set aside. Place tortilla strips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Broil for 3 minutes, turning after 2 minutes. Set aside. Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 garlic clove, panko, and the next 3 ingredients (through chipotle chile) in a large bowl, and gently mix until just combined. With moist hands, shape the meat mixture into 24 meatballs. Place an oven over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan. Add meatballs to pan and sauté for 8 minutes, turning them to brown on all sides. Remove from pan. Add onion, potatoes, and carrot to pan. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add remaining 5 garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add peppers, broth, and 2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, simmer 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Return meatballs to the pan. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and corn; return to a simmer. Cook 10 minutes or until meatballs are done. Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 6 bowls; top each serving with 4 teaspoons Monterey Jack cheese, 2 teaspoons cheddar cheese, and 4 teaspoons cilantro. Top evenly with tortilla strips.
