I can't get enough of it (as you well know if you read this blog - I do a soup consolidation post every winter). Warm, nutritious, satisfying, easy to make, and delicious - what's not to like? I mix things up with garnishes....a grating of cheese, a sprinkle of toasted nuts, a drizzle of excellent olive oil or nut oil (hazelnut, walnut, sesame), a dab of creme fraiche, or a spoonful of pesto....you get the idea. It's fun to add a crispy version of whatever veggies are in the soup base to perk things up - picture crispy cauliflower as a garnish to a creamy cauliflower soup. Or a shower of chopped fresh herbs. Or a few pieces of crisp, salty meat to elevate something simple to sublime - a few cubes of crunchy, chewy pancetta or bacon finish off a basic mushroom or tomato soup beautifully.
Or, my personal favorite, ladling soup over freshly made croutons - some sort of crusty bread, cubed and sauteed in a bit of olive oil with garlic, finish with a generous sprinkle of salt. So good, they can turn a basic broth into something incredible (add a sprinkle of Parm, and freshly ground black pepper...peasant food at its finest).
I often make a great big pot, we have it for lunch or dinner, then I freeze the rest. Happiness is coming home at 7 pm, thinking there's nothing for dinner, then remembering the lovely soup you tucked into the freezer a month ago. Label containers carefully (date, contents) for maximum enjoyment, minimal confusion.
Some ideas if you're hankering for a bowl (I enjoyed two yesterday - split pea for lunch, beef with barley for din, NICE) -
watercress with anchovy crouton
vegetable with pesto (middle pic)
fish with grilled bread and rouille
pappa al pomodoro (tomato bread)
quick chicken with bacon, asparagus & truffle oil
chickpea with rosemary & sage (bottom pic)
For more ideas, check out this consolidation of my soup posts.
