Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 onion
4 stalks celery
3 apples, peeled and cored
2 teaspoons butter
2 cups beef stock
2 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup cream

• preparation

Chop onion and celery and sauté in butter in a heavy skillet until golden. Add chopped apples and cook until soft. Add stocks, curry, paprika and lemon juice. Season to taste and stir. Strain and bring to a boil. Take off heat and add the cream. Serve hot or cold.

Serves: 4

Greek egg lemon chicken soup, or “soupa avgolemoni” in Greek (σούπα αυγολέμονη), is a traditional Greek Cypriot soup served as a starter or even as a main course.

“Avgolemono” means egg-lemon in Greek and is a common style of Greek cooking for soups where the egg and lemon juice are mixed with broth and heated until they thicken. In Arabic it is called “tarbiya” and in Turkish, “terbiye”.

• Ingredients

4 cups Chicken Stock
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup brown rice (cooked)
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
black pepper, fresh ground
nutmeg, ground

• preparation

Heat stock in 2 qt. saucepan until it is steaming.
In separate bowl, whisk 1/4 cup of stock into egg yolks, then quickly whisk mixture back into stock Stir in lemon juice and zest. Add rice, chicken and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until steaming, 3-5 minutes.
Pour into serving bowls and sprinkle with pepper and nutmeg if desired.

Serves: 6

The name of this soup refers to a specific type of couscous called berkoukes. Israeli or pearl couscous are good substitutes.
Berkoukes soup is found in North Africa and in the Middle East.

• Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 lb boneless chicken, beef or lamb, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp tomato paste
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 can chickpeas, drained
2 small zucchini, diced
2/3 cup uncooked Israeli couscous
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped cilantro, to serve

• preparation

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent. Add meat, tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, coriander, ginger and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is lightly browned.

2. Add carrots and celery. Add 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, covered, for about one hour, until meat is cooked and beginning to become tender.

3. Add the chickpeas and zucchini. Cook for 20 minutes more, until zucchini is softened.

4. If you plan to serve the soup right away, add the couscous directly to the pot and cook according to package directions. If you prepare the soup ahead of time, save this step until just before serving, as the couscous will continue to absorb liquid.

5. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

Serves: 5

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
2 cups dry white wine
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
4 pounds mussels
5 ounces roux
1 cup light cream

• preparation

In a large pot, melt butter, with chopped shallots. Add dry white wine, chopped parsley and mussels.
|Cover and steam until open. Strain liquid, add roux. Whisk to thicken.
Remove mussels from shells. Add to soup with cream. Season with white pepper. Heat and serve hot.

Serves: 4

This fiber-packed vegetarian curry soup is fragrant with ginger, ground spices and coconut milk. Served alongside a cool yogourt dressing.
Garam masala is a blend of ground spices common in India, Pakistan, and other South Asian cuisines.
A typical Indian version of garam masala contains:
Black and white peppercorns, Cloves, Cinnamon or cassia bark, Mace (part of nutmeg), Black and green cardamom pods, Bay leaf, Cumin, Coriander

• Ingredients

1 small cauliflower, washed and divided into small heads
2 tsp coconut oil, solid
2 cups onions, finely chopped
5 garlic cloves, finely minced
1-inch piece of ginger, grated
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
pinch grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp paprika
1 lb (450g) can plum tomatoes, chopped
1 qt. hot vegetable stock
4 oz (120g) black beluga lentils
4 cups sweet potatoes, chopped into medium-sized chunks
2 cups (475 ml) can coconut milk

For the yogurt dressing:
1 cup 240 ml plain yogurt
1/2 cup cucumber, grated
10 mint leaves, chopped
pinch of salt

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 200 C. (400 F). Place the cauliflower in a baking dish, drizzle with coconut oil, and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden. While cauliflower is cooking, in a large pan, cook the onions, garlic, and ginger in 2 teaspoons coconut oil for about 10 minutes, then add all the spices, and cook over low heat for a few minutes more.
Add the tomatoes, stock, lentils and sweet potatoes, cover, and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the bottom doesn't burn and that you have enough liquid. Top up with water if needed. Add the coconut milk and continue to cook until the lentils and sweet potatoes are very soft. Add the cauliflower to the sauce in the pan.

To make the dressing, place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together well. Cover and keep in the fridge until needed. Serve the curry with the rice and the yogurt dressing.

Serves: 6

Bouillabaisse is a testament to the coastal heritage of Marseille, showcasing the region's abundant seafood and Mediterranean influences. It has become an iconic dish in French cuisine, renowned for its complex flavors and rustic charm.

• Ingredients

3 pounds dressed fish (bass, cod, flounder, whiting, orange roughie or tilefish)
12 mussels
12 clams
1-2 pound live lobster
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup cleaned and chopped leek
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 bouquet garni
4 ounces fennel, cut into julienne
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon saffron
12 slices garlic bread

• preparation

Use a variety of fish like bass, cod, flounder, whiting, orange roughie, or tilefish. Cut into 1 inch cubes.
Scrub and wash mussels and clams.
Heat oil in a heavy pot. Add onion and leek. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic, parsley, chopped tomatoes, bouquet garni, salt and saffron.
Cut live lobster across into pieces, and crack the claws.
Layer fish, shellfish and lobster on top of vegetables. Cover with boiling water.
Simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Arrange fish in a serving earthtenware dish. Reduce cooking liquid by one third. Cut bread into round slices. Toast lightly.
Rub with a garlic clove. Pour liquid over fish. Heat, and serve in soup plates with bread.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 1/4 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch cubes
5 to 6 cups vegetable broth
1 Gala apple, peeled, cored, diced
1/2 cup apple juice
light sour cream
Chopped fresh chives

• preparation

Melt butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and nutmeg; sauté until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add squash, 4 1/4 cups broth, apple, and apple juice. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered until squash and apple are tender, about 30 minutes.
Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more broth if desired. Ladle soup into bowls.
Garnish with sour cream and chives.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 green peppers
2 medium onions, peeled
2 cans whole crushed tomatoes
1 small head chopped cabbage
1 bunch celery
1 package dry onion soup mix

• preparation

Wash peppers, cut in halves and remove seeds. Cut the vegetables into medium-sized pieces.
Combine vegetables in a large soup pot. Add onion soup mix and cover with water.
Cook on high heat for 10 minutes, then lower heat and simmer until tender.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 ounces butter
1 medium onion, peeled and slced
3 ounces flour
8 cups chicken broth
1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon sliced ginger
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste

• preparation

In a saucepan melt butter. Add onion. Mix for a minute. Do not brown. Pour chicken broth. Mix well with roux. Add sliced carrots and sliced ginger. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Puree soup in a blender. Strain. Add milk. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Serves: 8

Named after the French Comtesse Du Barry (1743-1793).Her name has become associated with a number of dishes based on cauliflower.

• Ingredients

5 ounces butter
8 ounces leeks ( white part), chopped
5 ounces flour
2 1/2 quarts water
1 pound cauliflower, cut into small pieces
1 pound veal bones
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk

• preparation

In a soup pot, melt butter and add he leeks. Stir over medium heat for 5 minutes. Do not brown. Add the flour and cook slowly for 5 minutes. Whisk in the water.
Add the cauliflower and veal bones. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Combine the egg yolks with the heavy cream. Boil the milk and whisk into the egg yolk mixture. Strain.
Skim the butter off the top of the soup.
Remove the bones, puree and strain soup.
Add the egg yolk and milk mixture, mix well and season.
For garnish add cooked small bunches of cauliflower and chopped chervil leaves.

Serves: 4

Add in some chicken or tofu for extra protein. This pairs well with wild rice

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
1 medium head cauliflower, stemmed and cut into bite-size florets
1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded, chopped
1 cup chopped kale
2 teaspoons ginger paste
1 tablespoon cumin powder
1 tablespoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 can full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

• preparation

In a medium stock pot, heat the coconut oil for 30 seconds on medium heat.


Add the cumin seeds and stir until they start to sputter. Then add the onions and cook for another minute, and then, add the tomatoes, stir and cook for a few more minutes until the tomatoes soften.


Add the rest of the ingredients and stir together. Cover the pan and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to keep from burning.

Ladle the soup into 4 serving bowls and enjoy! Leftover stew can be stored in air-tight container and saved for lunch the next day.

Serves: 4

From Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud Cookbook, Daniel Boulud and Dorie Greenspan, Scribner 1999.

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 medium leek, white part only, trimmed, thinly sliced, washed and dried
2 McIntosh apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch cubes
10 ounces celery root, peeled and cut into cubes
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
Pinch of celery salt
3/4 pound peeled fresh chestnuts from 1 ¼ pounds chestnuts in shells, or 3/4 pound dry-packed bottled or vacuum-sealed peeled fresh chestnuts
2 quarts homemade unsalted chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream

• preparation

1) Heat the oil in a stockpot or large casserole over medium heat. Add the onion, leek, apples, celery root, bay leaf, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the onions and leeks are soft but not colored. Add the chestnuts and chicken stock and bring to the boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook, skimming the surface regularly, 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chestnuts can be mashed easily with a fork. Add the heavy cream and simmer 5 to 10 minutes more, then discard the bay leaf and thyme.

2) Purée the soup until smooth using a blender, food processor or hand-held immersion blender, then pass it through a fine-mesh strainer. At this point, you should have about 2 quarts of soup. If you have more, or if you think the soup is too thin – the soup should have the consistency of a velouté or light cream soup – simmer it over medium heat until thickened. Taste and, if necessary, adjust the seasoning. (The soup can be cooled completely and stored in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to a month. Bring the soup back to a boil before serving.)

3) Place a few chestnuts in a pan and let cook on a medium heat. Add some soup (about 2 tablespoons) and let the mixture cook with the chestnuts (about 5 minutes). Top the soup with the chestnuts and serve hot

Serves: 4

Harissa paste has serious kick but, once stirred
into the soup, its fieriness is tamed. Feel free
to add less or more paste depending on your
tolerance. Freeze any extra harissa in an ice
cube tray and use cubes as needed.

• Ingredients

2 medium red peppers
1 tsp (5 mL) harissa paste
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup (125 mL) celery, finely chopped
2 tbsp (30 mL) garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp (2 mL) cumin seeds
2 tsp (10 mL) smoked paprika
4 cups (1 L) vegetable or chicken stock
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 can (540 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cups (500 mL) peeled and finely diced
sweet potato
3 tbsp (45 mL) tahini paste
Plain kefir or yogurt to drizzle for garnish
(optional)

• preparation

1 On a hot grill or under a broiler, roast
peppers until charred on all sides. Let cool,
peel off skin and discard seeds. Slice roasted
peppers into strips and toss together with
harissa in a small bowl. Set aside.
2 In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-­
high heat. Add onions and celery, and cook
for 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin seeds and
smoked paprika, and cook for 1 minute.
3 Add stock to the pot along with thyme,
chickpeas, sweet potato and tahini paste.
4 Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over
low heat for 25 minutes.
5 Ladle soup into four bowls and garnish with
harissa roasted peppers and a drizzle of kefir
or yogurt.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 ounces salt pork, diced
8 ounces chopped onion
1 clove minced garlic
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon thyme
2 parsley stems
1/2 teaspoon saffron
1 pound diced potatoes
1 quart fish stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup milk
1 1/2 pounds boneless cod
1 tablespoon parsley

• preparation

In a suitable soup pot, cook the salt pork until lightly brown. Stir in the onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, parsley stems, and saffron. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and fish stock. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.
A few minutes before serving, cut cod into cubes and add to soup. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add milk and parsley. Heat before serving.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

4 medium potatoes
4 medium chopped onions
1 1/2 quarts chicken stock
2 cups chopped broccoli
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

• preparation

In a soup pot, combine potatoes and onions with the stock. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Add the broccoli and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Puree soup in a blender.
Refrigerate for several hours until thoroughly chilled.
At serving time stir in the cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Garnish soup with lemon slices

Serves: 8

This soup is delicious hot or cold

• Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups chopped yellow onions
3 tablespoons flour
2 quarts chicken stock
2 pounds asparagus spears
1/2 cup light cream

• preparation

Melt the butter in a large pot and simmer the onion until very soft. Add a little water to steam onion and avoid browning. Stir often.
Stir in flour to blend. Add chicken stock. Whisk and bring to a boil. Simmer soup for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, trim the asparagus spears, discarding the tough woody ends. Wash and chop spears into 1/2-inch pieces and cook in salted boiling water until tender. Drain and cool under cold water.
Place asparagus in a blender, mixing in batches, and puree adding a little water if necessary. Strain asparagus puree through a strainer. Reserve in a bowl.
Cool soup, and puree in a blender. Strain and return to a soup pot.
To serve hot:
At serving time, heat soup and asparagus puree in separate pots.
Just before serving add the green asparagus puree to soup. If serving into individual soup plates, swirl the green puree in soup to get a decorative effect.
To serve cold:
Spoon soup in into individual soup plates, swirling spoonfuls of the asparagus puree into the soup.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon minced onions
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 cups peeled pumpkin, cut into pieces
1 bay leaf
pinch of saffron
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
to taste salt and pepper
1 cup light cream
1 ounce butter

• preparation

In a soup pot, melt butter, add the flour and stir over medium heat for 3 minutes. Mix in the onions and cook for 2 more minutes.
Whisk in the chicken stock. Add pumpkin pieces and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add bay leaf, saffron, lemon juice, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Puree soup in a blender. Stir in the light cream and butter. Serve hot.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 cup dried chickpeas, sorted through and rinsed
1 tsp. kosher salt
For the soup:

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
1 inner rib celery, diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs. sherry vinegar
10 oz. firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch dice
3 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh chives

• preparation

Cook the beans:
Wrap the bay leaves, garlic, and thyme in cheesecloth and tie with twine. Put the chickpeas in a large pot and cover with water by 2 inches (about 2 quarts). Add the herb bundle and the salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the chickpeas are tender (try biting into one) but not splitting and falling apart, about 2 hours (check occasionally to be sure the chickpeas aren't boiling and are covered with liquid; add water if needed). Discard the herb bundle. Set aside the chickpeas and their cooking liquid.

Make the soup:
Heat 1-1/2 Tbsp. of the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and start to brown, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring. Add the chickpeas and their cooking liquid (there should be about 5 cups; if not, add more water to equal this amount) and half of the thyme. Season well with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a bare simmer, and cook for 30 minutes so that the chickpeas soften a little more but don’t break up. Working in batches, purée the chickpeas and broth in a blender. Return the puréed soup to the saucepan, stir in the cream, vinegar, and remaining chopped thyme, and keep warm over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Taste for salt, pepper, and vinegar.

Set a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Cook the tofu in the remaining 1-1/2 Tbs. oil until it’s brown, about 5 minutes; With a slotted spoon. transfer half the tofu to a plate lined with paper towels and stir the rest into the soup.
Laddle the soup into shallow bowls. Sprinkle with the tofu, scatter with the chives, and drizzle with a bit of the reserved tofu oil, if you like. Serve immediately.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk with leaves, chopped
5 black peppercorns
2 sprigs parsley
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh thyme
3 whole cloves
strip lemon rind
1 lb. lean fish bones and trimmings (cod, halibut, bass) Do not use mackerel, mullet, or salmon in this recipe; their taste is too strong.)

• preparation

Place water, onion, carrot, and celery in stockpot. Tie peppercorns, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, cloves, and lemon rind in a square of cheesecloth and add to pot. Add rinsed fish bones and trimmings. Heat to a simmer over medium high heat. Simmer for just 15 minutes, no longer. Skim the surface of the soup, strain the stock, and refrigerate or freeze.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1/3 cup oil
3 cups sliced onions
1 quart beef stock
1 package onion soup mix
1/3 teaspoon thyme
8 toasted sliced French baguettes
3/4 cup grated Swiss cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• preparation

Cook the onions over medium heat in the oil until brown. Add the beef stock, onion soup mix and thyme and boil 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Place the toasted bread croutons in individual onion soup bowls or large oven proof casserole. Ladle the soup over and sprinkle with the cheese.
Bake on the top rack of the oven at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until brown. Serve hot.

Serves: 6

This is a smooth, creamy start for a casual summer meal.
Fresh peas give this cold soup its sweet flavor and velvety texture, but you can also use frozen.
This soup is also tasty hot.

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onions
1-1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups cubed peeled potatoes (2 potatoes)
2 cups (500 mL) shelled fresh peas (1-1/2 lb/750 g unshelled)
1 cup (250 mL) cream or milk
1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Garnish:
1/2 cup green peas,
thinly sliced Half sweet red pepper, finely chopped

• preparation

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat; cook onions, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10 minutes. Add stock, 1 cup (250 mL) water and potatoes; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add peas; simmer, covered, until peas are tender, 5 minutes.

In batches, transfer to blender or food processor; purée until smooth. Transfer to bowl. Blend in cream; stir in salt and pepper. Refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours.
(Make-ahead: Place plastic wrap directly on surface; refrigerate for up to 1 day.)
Garnish:
Ladle into bowls; garnish with peas and red pepper.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 pounds peeled pumpkin (about 6 cups)
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup light coconut milk
4 ounce piece pickled or salt pork
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 bay leaf large
1 sprig thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
hot chile pepper to taste (Scotch bonnet)

• preparation

In large pot, combine all ingredients . Bring to boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes or until pumpkin is very soft.
Remove pork, thyme sprig and bay leaf.
In blender, purée soup until smooth. Return to pot and reheat. Add salt and pepper if needed.

Serves: 8

The kabocha squash-bumpy, squat, and unseasonably green has a deeply flavored meat and a more fiery orange than that of its famous cousin. The soup can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered.

• Ingredients

1 (4 pound) kabocha squash, halved and seeded
1 cup vegetable oil
20 whole fresh sage leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
1/4 pound sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
3 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

• preparation

Roast squash:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Roast squash, cut sides down, in an oiled roasting pan in oven until tender, about 1 hour. Cool and scrape flesh from skin.

Fry sage leaves while squash roasts:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep small saucepan until it registers 365 F on a deep fat thermometer. Fry sage leaves in 3 batches until crisp, 3 to 5 seconds. Transfer leaves with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

Cook pancetta and make soup:
Cook pancetta in a 4 quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until browned. Transfer pancetta with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
Add olive oil to pancetta fat remaining in pot, then cook onion, stirring, until softened. Stir in garlic and chopped sage and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add squash, broth, and water and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors. Purée soup in a blender, transferring to a bowl.
Return soup to pot and reheat. If necessary, thin to desired consistency with water.
Stir in vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Serve sprinkled with pancetta and fried sage leaves.

Serves: 1

Magical Leek Soup. A
Simple and healthy recipe.

• Ingredients

for the weekend Ingredients
2 pounds leeks

• preparation

1. Clean the leeks and rinse well to get rid of sand and soil. Cut off the ends of the dark green parts, leaving all the white parts plus a suggestion of pale green. (Reserve the extra greens for soup stock.)
2. Put the leeks in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes. Pour off the liquid and reserve. Place the leeks in a bowl.
The juice is to be drunk (reheated or at room temperature to taste) every 2 to 3 hours, 1 cup at a time. For meals, or whenever hungry, have some of the leeks themselves, 1/2 cup at a time. Drizzle with a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Season sparingly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you wish.
This will be your nourishment for both days, until Sunday dinner, when you can have a small piece of meat or fish (4 to 6 ounces -- don't lose that scale yet!), with 2 vegetables, steamed with a bit of butter or olive oil, and a piece of fruit.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 cups finely chopped celery
1 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup finely chopped leek (white and pale green parts only)
1/2 cup dry white wine
9 cups vegetable broth
4 cups diced green cabbage
2 cups diced zucchini
3/4 cup small pasta
3 cups packed, coarsely chopped fresh spinach
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• preparation

Combine celery, onion, leek and wine in heavy large pot over medium heat.
Simmer until vegetables are tender but not brown, stirring frequently, about 12 minutes.
Add broth and bring to boil. Add cabbage and zucchini and simmer 10 minutes. Add pasta; cover and simmer until pasta is just tender. Add spinach and cook 5 minutes.
Stir in sliced basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls.
Pass Parmesan cheese separately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish
1 large onion, medium diced
6 to 8 cloves garlic, pressed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 heaping teaspoon sweet paprika
1 (14.5-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
3 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
1 quart vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 (5-ounce) package pre-washed baby spinach

• preparation

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onions begin to turn translucent; lower heat if browning starts to occur. Add spices and saute a minute or so. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, and sugar. Season with a couple pinches of salt and 10 grinds fresh pepper. Stir well. Chickpeas should be just covered with liquid. If level is shy, add some water so the chickpeas are just covered.
Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.
Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Serve soup, drizzled lightly with extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.

Serves: 8

A recipe by Chef Daniel Boulud

• Ingredients

3 lbs fresh mussels
3 tablespoons (42g) butter
3 cups (about 2 small/100g each) sliced onions
2 sprigs thyme
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
2 bay leaves
1 ½ quarts (1.5L) vegetable or Chicken Stock
2 cups (480ml) dry white wine
½ tablespoon (0.25g) saffron threads
2 heads (3lb/1.3kg) cauliflower, woody stems removed, cut into small florets
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
1 cup (240g) crème fraîche
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
2 cups ¼-inch (0.5cm) cubed white bread, toasted
½ bunch chives, cut in batons

• preparation

Discard any mussels that are cracked or open and will not close with a tap on the counter.
Place the rest in a large container and cover with cold water for 20 minutes to filter out any sand. Lift the mussels from the water, leaving all the sand behind. Remove the beards by grasping them with a dry towel and pulling toward the hinges of the shells. Scrub the mussels under cold running water.
Heat 1 tablespoon (14g) of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add half of the onions, thyme, garlic, and bay leaves and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.
Add 2 cups (480ml) of the stock and the wine and bring to a boil. Toss in the mussels, cover, and simmer until the mussels open. Drain the mussels through a cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl and reserve the liquid for the soup.
Pick the mussels from the shells, place in a shallow container, and cover with enough cooking liquid to keep them moist. (At this point the mussels and cooking liquid can be reserved, chilled, overnight.)
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons (28g) butter over medium heat. Add the remaining onion, thyme, garlic, and bay leaf and the saffron threads and cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent.
Add the cauliflower and cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes. Add the reserved cooking liquid and the remaining chicken stock. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is very tender. Add the heavy cream and crème fraîche and bring to a simmer. Discard the bay leaf and thyme and transfer the mixture to a blender (you will need to do this in batches). Puree until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Return to the pan, bring to a simmer, and stir in the mussels just before serving.
Serve, garnishing with the toasted bread and chives.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 pounds mussels
2 cups white wine
1 teaspoon shallots, chopped
1 teaspoon saffron
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons flour
1 cup cream
salt and white pepper to taste

8 ounces scallops
1 ounce butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice

• preparation

Scrub mussels under cold running water. Heat wine in a large pot. Add mussels. Cover pot and steam for about 5 minutes, or until mussels are opened.
Strain cooking liquid through cheese cloth. Save. Remove mussels from shells. Reserve for garnish.
In a medium saucepan, add mussel broth, shallots, onion, saffron, parsley and chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes. Combine butter and flour to a paste.
Whip in the cooking liquid to thicken. Add cream and seasoning. Add mussels.
Saute scallops in butter and lemon juice until transparent. Dice the scallops and cooking liquid to soup together with mussels.
Heat soup and serve hot.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 pounds mussels
2 cups white wine
1 teaspoon shallots, chopped
1 teaspoon saffron
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons flour
1 cup cream
salt and white pepper to taste

• preparation

Scrub mussels under cold running water.
Heat wine in a large pot. Add mussels. Cover pot and steam for about 5 minutes, or until mussels are opened.
Strain cooking liquid through cheese cloth. Save.
Remove mussels from shells.
Reserve for garnish.
In a medium saucepan, add mussel broth, shallots, onion, saffron, parsley and chicken broth.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Combine butter and flour to a paste. Whip in the cooking liquid to thicken. Add cream and seasoning. Add mussels. Heat soup, and serve hot.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

4 pounds fresh mussels
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1/4 cup olive oil
5 ounces diced carrots
5 ounces chopped onion
2 medium leek whites, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 teaspoon saffron
1 quart fish fumet
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

• preparation

Wash and scrub mussels, remove beards, and discard dead open mussels.
In a heavy, deep pot, combine the wine and shallots. Bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover the pot, and steam until all mussels are open, tossing occasionally. Strain cooking liquid.
Take mussels out of shells. In the same pot, heat the oil. Add the mirepoix (carrots, onion, leeks)and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chopped tomatoes, and saffron.
Pour in the fish fumet and mussel cooking liquid. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
Before serving, stir the cream, mussels, and thyme into the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 large leeks, washed and thinly sliced
4 dozens mussels, scrubbed, debearded
1 cup dry white wine
8 parsley sprigs
10 saffron threads, crushed
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

• preparation

Melt butter in large heavy deep skillet. Add leeks and saute until tender.
Combine mussels, wine and parsley sprigs in Dutch oven. Cover and cook over high heat until mussels open. Transfer mussels to a bowl, discarding any that do not open.
Strain mussel juice into skillet containing leeks. Add saffron and cream; boil until reduced to sauce consistency. Stir in minced parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
Add mussels and any remaining juices to skillet. Stir and heat through.

Serves: 6

Wonderful, hearty soup.
a recipe inspired by finecooking.com

• Ingredients

6 oz. orrechiette or small shells, or other small pasta
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2-1/2 cups diced (1/2 to 3/4 inch) butternut squash
2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 15-oz. can kidney beans (white or red), or Roman beans, rinsed and drained (1-3/4 cups)
1 14-oz. can crushed peeled tomatoes with juice
Freshly ground black pepper

For the pesto:
1 packed cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh sage
1 medium clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano, coarsely grated; more, finely grated, for serving
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• preparation

Make the soup
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to package directions until not quite al dente.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and 1/4 tsp. salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the squash and stir to coat with the oil. Add the parsley, sage, garlic, and pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it is evenly distributed and looks slightly darker, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until almost evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the broth, beans, and tomatoes. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot, and simmer until the squash is barely tender, 13 to 15 minutes. Add the pasta and continue simmering until the squash and pasta are tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Make the pesto and serve
Put the parsley, sage, garlic, and coarsely grated cheese in a food processor. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper and drizzle with the oil. Pulse until finely chopped, adding more oil if necessary to give it consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and transfer to a bowl.
Thin the soup with water if desired and add 1/4 tsp. pepper. Season to taste with more salt and pepper. Divide among soup bowls and spoon 1 to 2 Tbsp pesto on top of each serving. Pass the finely grated cheese at the table.

Serves: 12

The hearty Provencal soupe au pistou, or pistou soup is a wonderful rustic mediterranean soup full of fresh flavors of the South of France.

• Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
3 medium leeks
1 small fennel bulb
3 carrots
1 stick of celery
3 courgettes
2 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 fresh bay leaves
250 g baby green beans
1 x 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 x 400 g tin of cannellini beans
1 x 400 g tin of borlotti beans
70 g small macaroni

PISTOU SAUCE
5 cloves of garlic
6 sprigs of fresh basil
60 g Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• preparation

Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, then trim and slice the leek. Chip and chop the fennel, carrots, celery and courgettes, then pick and roughly chop the parsley leaves.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic and leek for 5 minutes.
Add the other chopped ingredients, the bay, green beans and chopped tomatoes. Drain and add the beans. Cover with water, season and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Add the pasta and simmer until cooked, adding water if the soup is too thick.
For the pistou sauce, peel and add the garlic to a pestle and mortar, pick in the basil leaves and add some sea salt. Pound until puréed, then finely grate in the Parmesan and muddle in the extra virgin olive oil to make a paste.
Serve the soup with a dollop of pistou.

The pistou sauce can also be made in a food processor or blender,

Serves: 6

Leek and potato soup

• Ingredients

1 pound leek, white part only
3 ounces butter
3 quarts chicken broth
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ounces butter
1 cup croutons

• preparation

Wash and mince leeks. Heat butter in a large frying pan. Add leeks and sauté over low heat. Do not color.
In a large saucepan, combine leeks, chicken broth, and potatoes. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Serve hot with croutons.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

8 oz bacon slices
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 small carrot, grated
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups 2% milk
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
2 green onions, thinly sliced, optional

• preparation

1. Partially freeze your package of bacon so that it holds together easier while slicing.
2. Use a sharp knife and cut the frozen bacon into long strips about 1/4 inch wide.
3. Turn the bacon and cut the strips into pieces also about 1/4 in wide.
4. Sprinkle with pepper.
5. Fry in a large saucepan over a medium high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan.
Save 1/4 cup of bacon dripping in the saucepan. Add butter and mix in the flour cooking over medium heat for a minute while stirring occasionally. Add the vegetables, seasonings and broth and milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes.
Stir in cheese until melted. Serve with bacon bits and garnish with green onions.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

the soup:
3 medium potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
to taste salt and pepper

the garnish:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
6 thick slices of Italian bread, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
3/4 cup fiddleheads, trimmed and cleaned, blanched until tender
4 tablespoons shaved parmesan cheese

• preparation

Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
Cook the potatoes in chicken broth and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Puree in a mixer.
Garnish:
Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and cook a few seconds. Add the bread cubes and cook until golden and crisp.
Ladle the soup among the 4 plates or bowls. Garnish with fiddleheads, croutons, and Parmesan shavings. Serve hot.

Serves: 6

The little dark (greenish black brown) lentils called lentilles du Puy are really the best for this, because they hold shape so well. You may find other small lentils, like those little black lentils, work too.

• Ingredients

1/3 cup spelt
1/3 cup pearl barley
1/3 dark green lentils
3 leeks, white portion only
2 carrots, chopped
2 bay leaves
1/2 t. of fresh or dry thyme
1 head of garlic, all the cloves peeled
1 28 oz. can of tomatoes/or your own canned tomatoes,chopped
Sea salt
Olive oil

• preparation

Rinse your grains and lentils off in a fine colander, set aside.

Put about a tablespoon of olive oil, about 1 teaspoon of sea salt, the herbs, leeks or onions, and carrots in a heavy bottomed soup pot. Turn the heat on fairly low and cook them covered for about five minutes, so they soften but don’t brown. This is called sweating.

Add the whole can of tomatoes, juice and all, then add about 5 cups of water. Bring this to a simmer.

Add the grains, lentils and all those garlic cloves (The garlic cloves are the secret weapon! If you or your family is garlic shy, don’t worry, the soup doesn’t taste very garlicky when it’s done.)

Simmer covered until the grains are tender, about 45 minutes, depending on the grains. Add more water if necessary, to keep it at the thickness you prefer.

Test for seasoning. Add some fresh ground pepper, and serve in bowls drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Don’t skip the olive oil swirl. It really makes it, somehow.

It’s that easy, and that good. I usually double this recipe for leftovers.

Note re: leftovers: The grains soak up all the liquid when the soup is sitting in the fridge, leaving the soup a semi-solid mass–so you’ll have to add a good deal of water when you go to reheat. This doesn’t effect flavor at all. It’s an excellent leftover type soup.

Serves: 6

Other white firm fish may be used for this recipe.

• Ingredients

1 pound grouper or halibut fillet
2 teaspoons saffron
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Aromat seasoning
2 medium chopped shallots
1 small diced white leek
1 large minced garlic clove
1 14 ounce can tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 quarts fish stock
1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
4 ounces roux
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
croutons

• preparation

Cut the grouper or halibut fillet into small cubes. Season with1/2 of the saffron, 1/2 of the olive oil, and Aromat seasoning.
Pour the remaining olive oil in a heavy bottom soup pot. Add shallots, leek, and garlic and sauté over low heat. Stir in the remaining saffron and the chopped tomatoes. Add the wine, fish stock, and sea food seasoning.
Whisk in the roux to slightly thicken the soup. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce.
A few minutes before serving, add diced grouper. Simmer the soup for 5 minutes. Serve in soup plates or cups with croutons.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1/2 cup instant rice
3 cups chicken stock
8 cups sweet red peppers
2 medium sliced white onions
6 cups chicken stock
3 cups milk
1 cup cream
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
salt to taste

• preparation

In a large saucepan, simmer plain rice in the 3 cups of chicken stock.
In another saucepan, simmer sliced red sweet peppers and sliced onion in remaining chicken stock. Simmer till tender.
Purée red pepper mixture with rice in a blender. Add milk and cream. Season with Tabasco, pepper, paprika and salt.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

3 large onions, sliced
8 large garlic cloves, peeled
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cups vegetable broth
3 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried
3/4 cup russet potato, peeled and diced
croutons

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix onions, garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons olive oil in a baking pan.
Roast until garlic and onions are tender, about 30 minutes for garlic. Cool. Squeeze garlic out of skin and mash.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté 10 minutes. Stir in garlic.
Add 5 cups vegetable broth and thyme, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
Add diced potato and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Cool mixture slightly. Discard thyme sprigs.
Puree soup in batches in a blender. Return soup to saucepan. Bring to simmer, thinning with more broth, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle with croutons and serve.

Serves: 4

A Daniel Boulud Dish.Entertaining at Home with a Four Star Chef

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 shallots, thinly sliced
2 pounds mussels, scrubbed
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
Freshly ground pepper

For the Mussel Soup:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, peeled, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced, rinsed and dried
1 large carrot, thinly sliced
1 large Idaho potato, peeled and cut into
small pieces
4 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
Large pinch of saffron threads
Sachet (1 teaspoon each fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and white peppercorns, 1 bay leaf, 2 sprigs thyme, and
4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, tied in cheesecloth)
Salt and freshly ground white pepper

For the Crust:
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped toasted almonds
1 tablespoon finely chopped speck ham or prosciutto
Salt and freshly ground white pepper

• preparation

1. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, just until translucent, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high and add the mussels and white wine. Season with pepper. Cover and cook, stirring a few times, until the mussels open, 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place a cheesecloth-lined sieve over a large bowl. When all the mussels have opened, turn the mussels and liquid into the sieve. Reserve the mussels and broth separately. When the mussels are cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the shells. Discard the shells and cover the mussels (refrigerate them if you are not making the soup right away).

Make the Mussel Soup:
3. Melt the butter with the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, just until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the fennel, celery, leek, carrot, and potato and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the heavy cream, saffron, sachet, reserved mussel liquid, and chicken stock, and season with salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, skimming regularly, until all the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

4. Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender. Push the purée through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, then season to taste with salt and pepper. (The soup can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for a month.) Bring to a boil before serving.

To Make the Crust and Gratins:
5. Mix together the bread crumbs, butter, parsley, garlic, almonds and ham in a bowl until blended. Season with salt and pepper. Roll out the mixture between two pieces of parchment paper to form a 4-inch square that is about 1/4-inch thick. Transfer the packet to a small baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes, then cut the crust into four squares; refrigerate until needed.

6. Preheat the broiler. Butter a large gratin dish. Put a 2-inch cake ring or biscuit cutter in the gratin dish and fill with one-fourth of the mussels. Lift off the ring and top the mussels with a square of crust. Repeat to make 3 more mussel gratins. Broil the gratins-watching closely-for 2 to 4 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.

To Serve
Bring the soup to a boil. Transfer each gratin to the center of a warm soup bowl. Ladle the hot soup around the mussels and serve immediately.


Reprinted from: Daniel's Dish: Entertaining at Home with a Four Star Chef, Daniel Boulud, Filipacchi Publishing, 2003

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 tbsp butter
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup dry white wine
3 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp herbes de Provence
1/2 cup cream
200 g smoked trout or salmon fillet, skin discarded, flaked
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• preparation

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add celery, carrots and onion stirring frequently until carrots start to soften, about 5 min. Sprinkle with flour and salt. Mix well.
Add potatoes, wine, broth, milk and herbes de Provence. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, about 15 min. Stir in cream and trout. Continue simmering for 2 min. Ladle into bowls and top with parsley
just before serving.

Serves: 5

If halibut isn’t available (or too pricey), choose another white-flesh fish such as cod or haddock. Clam juice can be found alongside canned fish in the grocery store.

• Ingredients

2 cobs corn, shucked
3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 stalks celery, finely diced
1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled,
cut into 1/4-inch (5-mm) dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/4 cup (60 mL) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 mL) dry white wine
3 cups (750 mL) vegetable broth
1/2 cup (125 mL) bottled clam juice
3/4 lb (340 g) halibut, cut into
large bite-size chunks
1/4 lb (115 g) smoked trout, flaked
into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup (125 mL) heavy cream (35%)
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped dill

• preparation

1. Preheat grill to high. Clean and oil grate.
2. Grill corn, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate. When cool enough to handle, slice kernels off cob and set aside.
3. Melt butter and oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add celery,
potatoes, garlic, corn and salt. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in flour and cook, 1 minute. Add wine and cook, stirring, until almost all liquid has been absorbed. Pour in vegetable broth and clam juice. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and chowder thickens slightly, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Stir in halibut pieces and cook until halibut is barely cooked, 2 to 3 minutes. Gently stir in flaked smoked trout and cream, cook until warmed through, 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Serve sprinkled with dill and crackers on side.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 lb. dried black beans Sometimes you can find fresh, raw beans in Costa Rica!
1 tablespoon oil
1 medium onion peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped celery1 cup chopped carrots
1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped small
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
8 cups or more chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper
2 hard-boiled eggs sliced in quarters
1 radish sliced thinly
1 avocado sliced thinly
A few dices of red bell pepper
A dollop of sour cream per dish

• preparation

Wash the beans and place in a large stockpot.
Cover with water and bring to a boil.
Boil for three minutes and then turn off the heat and allow to sit for one hour.
While waiting for the beans, saute in canola oil, the onion, celery, carrot and peppers. Once they soften add the garlic.
Drain and rinse the beans and then return to the pot.
Add the broth and the sautéed vegetables, ginger, salt and pepper and the cilantro.
Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down, partially cover and simmer until the beans are tender.
This should take about 2 to 3 hours.
Garnish with a spoon of sour cream, a slice of avocado, chopped green onions, sliced radishes, chopped hard cooked egg and a bit of diced red pepper.
Serve with warm corn tortillas.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

6 Tbsp butter or olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped leeks, white and green parts
2 cups (½-inch) diced carrots
1½ cups chopped yellow onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 lb dried green split peas
8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 smoked ham hock
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
8 fresh thyme sprigs, tied with kitchen twine
2 large bay leaves
12 oz smoked sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally into ¼-inch-thick pieces
Minced fresh parsley, for garnish

• preparation

Heat ¼ cup of the butter oroil in a large ot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Add leeks, carrots and onion; cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in peas to coat; cook 1 minute. Add stock, 2 cups water, ham hock, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 1¼ hours, stirring occasionally, or until peas are very tender and falling apart. (Stir bottom of the pot to be sure soup doesn’t stick.)
Discard thyme, bay leaves and ham hock. Transfer 2 cups soup to a food processor fitted with a steel blade; puree. Return puree to pot. Stir in more stock or water if soup is too thick.
Heat remaining 2 Tbsp butter or oil in a medium saute pan over medium. Add sausage; cook 5–6 minutes or until browned, tossing occasionally. Serve soup garnished with sausage and parsley.

Serves: 6

This warming soup is a quick and easy recipe to put together on a weeknight yet wonderful for guests when you’re entertaining.

• Ingredients

1 small onion, thinly sliced
3 lemon grass stalks, crushed
6 fresh or dried kaffir lime leaves
1 piece ginger, 4 inches (10 cm) long, peeled and sliced
1 piece galangal, 4 inches (10 cm) long,peeled and sliced
7½ cups (1.9 L) chicken broth
2 cans (each 400 mL) coconut milk
2 to 4 tsp (10 to 20 mL) fish sauce
1 to 3 tsp (5 to 15 mL) palm or granulated sugar(optional)
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts,about 1 lb (500 g)
½ red pepper, thinly sliced into strips
⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) salt
¼ lb (125 g) fresh shiitake or button mushrooms,thinly sliced
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges
½ cup (125 mL) Thai basil leaves or cilantro sprigs for garnish

• preparation

1
Place onion, lemon grass, lime leaves, ginger and galangal in a large pot.
Pour in broth.Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduceheat so broth is simmering. Simmer until very flavourful, 20 minutes. Strain into a bowl.
2
Pour broth back into pot. Stir in coconutmilk. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-highheat. Stir in fish sauce.
Taste and add sugar,if you like.
3
Meanwhile, thinly slice chicken and red pepper into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle chicken with salt.
When broth is gently boiling, stir in chicken, peppers, mushrooms and green onions. Bring back to a gentle simmer.
Gently simmer, stirring frequently until chicken is cooked through and vegetables soften, 2 to 5 minutes.
Do not vigorously boil. Divide between bowls. Squeeze a wedge of lime into each.
Serve garnished with basil.

Serves: 6

The semipearled farro variety — or semiperlato in Italy, where farro has been cultivated for centuries — in which some of the bran has been removed, and takes the least time to cook but has no bran at all.
whole farro requires overnight soaking.

• Ingredients

3/4 cup spelt or semipearled farro *
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling, if desired
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 medium-size carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
5 cups vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups or one 15-ounce can cannellini or other white beans, drained and rinsed

• preparation

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt and pepper. Sautee over medium heat until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Add the bay leaf and oregano. Add the stock and bring to a boil.
Add the spelt or farro and bring back to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer the soup for 20 to 30 minutes or until the farro is almost tender (you don't want the grains completely cooked since the soup will cook for additional time and the vegetables are cooked). Add more water if the soup becomes too thick.
Add the beans and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Serve hot, drizzled with a little olive oil, if desired.

Serves: 5

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
1 onion, cut in 1/4-inch dice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 carrots, cut in 1/4-inch dice
2 celery stalks, cut in 1/4-inch dice
1 19 oz -can plum tomatoes, chopped
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
4 cups chicken broth (1 L)
1/2 cup pearl barley (125 ml)
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper

• preparation

Put a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and onions and sauté for 5 minutes over medium heat while stirring occasionally. Add garlic, carrots and celery and continue to sauté until softened.
Add tomatoes, thyme, chicken broth, barley and bay leaves and simmer until the barley is tender, about 30-40 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 cups water
2 cups diced zucchini
1 cup diced carrot
1 cup drained canned cannellini beans
3/4 cup diced celery
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1-14 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup uncooked macaroni
4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

• preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until lightly browned.
Add water and next 10 ingredients. Cover, reduce heat and cook 25 minutes.
Add pasta; cover and cook an additional 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls, and sprinkle with cheese.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
6 cups chicken stock or broth
4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh sage
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons sugar

Croutons
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
24 1/4-inch-thick baguette bread slices
1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

• preparation

For soup:
Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, all squash and herbs; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree soup in blender. Return soup to same pot. Stir in cream and sugar; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.)
For croutons:
Preheat broiler. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange bread, buttered side up, on baking sheet. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Turn over.
Sprinkle cheese, then thyme and sage over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute.
Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with croutons and serve.

Serves: 6

Soup is generally filling, light and low in fat and calories. Certainly this soup is.
It can be refrigerated for 2 days. Reheat gently and add a little water if necessary.

• Ingredients

3 medium leeks, white parts only, halved lengthwise and chopped
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon thyme
Fine sea salt
One 14-ounce can peeled whole tomatoes, crushed, juices reserved
6 cups cold water
1 head of garlic, separated into peeled cloves
1/3 cup spelt
1/3 cup dark green lentils
1/3 cup barley
Freshly ground pepper

• preparation

In a 4-quart enameled cast-iron casserole, combine the leeks, carrots, olive oil, bay leaves, thyme and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Add the tomatoes with their juices, the water and garlic and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Add the rice, lentils and wheat berries, cover and simmer over low heat until the grains are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Thin with water if needed. Discard the bay leaves, season with salt and pepper and serve.