City Pioneer

Nothing Beats a Good Soup

Taking time to prepare good food is something many people find difficult to do. I have to agree that in a crazy world it is pretty hard. But weekend cooking is something I really enjoy and soups head the top of the list.
Yesterday I made a lovely minestrone soup. There is something wonderful about having it simmer all day on the stove. I used simple ingredients and served it with a bit of parmesan on top. A simple pleasure that reminds me that fall is here.

Here is how I make my soups:

Chop up an onion or two and saute in a couple of teaspoons of oil. Let the onion do its thing, slow and easy to bring out the sugar. Have a glass of wine or cup of coffee while it cooks and fill the house with onion scent.

Add in a chopped garlic or two. Oh heaven to the nose.

Now put in some spices and herbs. I added a bit of dried basil, some dried oregano and a tad of cinammon and let is fry up a bit.

Then I popped in some stock. Could be chicken, could be vegetable or could even be water if that is what you have.

After that I put in the harder vegetables. I just ransacked the fridge to see what what was in there. Some carrots, some green beans and some cut up red peppers and a bit of turnip diced pretty small (because it is pretty hard) Let the whole thing cook a bit more.

Now I plop in 1/2 can of stewed tomatoes, and squeeze the devil out of the whole tomatoes so they break up in the soup. Cook some more. If I have red wine, I glug a bit in now, if not, well, it won't be a tragedy.

What else can I add? Ah yes, some peas and a bit of corn and a bit of coleslaw. Now I taste.
A bit of salt now.
Then I pop in the pasta, just a handful of whole wheat spaghetti broken up and let it cook along with the cup of pinto beans I got from the can. I could have used chickpeas, but pinto beans were what I had.

Then I just simmer and taste, adjust, simmer and taste. At the end, a tiny bit of red wine vinegar and sprinkle pepper on the soup. Top with parmesan.

So that is my soup du jour. I think soup is very forgiving and very filling. The aroma of soup cooking just makes a home a home and makes the fall something special. It is cheap to make and will last me for a few lunches this week. You can find recipes anywhere on line, just try one.

posted by Deb @ 8:50 AM