The rain clouds are rolling in on this cold, grey afternoon and I’m in the mood for a bowl of homemade soup! Sweet potatoes are the hero in this thick and hearty soup which is sure to chase away the chills in no time.
Category: Soup
Taiwanese beef noodle soup
Hello foodies! It’s great to be back after a little break last week and today I am excited to tell you about the latest addition to my cookbook collection. It is written by none other than one of our talented local food bloggers, Ming-Cheau Lin. Ming recently launched her first cookbook titled “Just Add Rice” and it is unlike any of the other books on my kitchen shelf, here’s why…
Roasted tomato soup with red pepper and basil (vegan)
It’s soup season and right on cue the kiddies and I have all come down with horrible colds! Whether you are needing some wholesome sustenance or a hot bowl of goodness to chase away the chills (or the germs!), this vegan tomato and red pepper soup with fresh basil is bound to do the trick.
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Creamy butternut soup
I don’t think I could have chosen a better day to share this recipe. The rain is (finally) coming down in buckets outside as Cape Town gets pummelled by a monster storm and right now I can think of no better lunch than a steaming bowl of delicious soup. Preferably followed by a nap. Local schools have been closed for the day due to the storm so there is not much chance of the latter but I will settle for soup!
I enjoy all kinds of soups, but I tend to favour the classics – for me nothing beats good old tomato soup or a creamy butternut soup. I have kept this recipe fairly simple with a touch of warming spice to complement the veggies. This is an easy soup to throw together and the best part is that you can make a big batch and freeze it, ready for those cold winter days.
For more soup inspiration please check out these recipes for french onion soup, mushroom soup with chevin and thyme toasts, and carrot and coriander soup. What is your favourite soup when the weather turns chilly?
Serving suggestion – top the soup with toasted flaked almonds, flat leaf parsley, a swirl of cream and some freshly ground black pepper. Add a few slices of toasted ciabatta and you are good to go!
Make ahead tip – make a batch of soup and freeze in single portions for soup anytime you feel like it.
CREAMY BUTTERNUT SOUP
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 8 baby leeks, sliced
- 4 celery sticks (about 10cm), sliced
- 500g peeled and cubed butternut
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- large pinch of sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
- 150ml cream
- 2 tbsp sherry
- cream / parsley / black pepper / flaked almonds to garnish (optional)
- toasted ciabatta to serve (optional)
1.) Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over a low heat. Add the onion, leeks, celery, butternut and potatoes. Cover the pot and leave the vegetables to sweat for 10 minutes. Shake the pan regularly to prevent them from sticking to the bottom.
2.) Increase the heat to medium. Add the salt, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon and stir for a minute or two. Add the stock and stir well. Leave to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20-25 minutes.
3.) Set the pot aside to cool for a few minutes. Use a food processor or stick blender to puree the soup until smooth.
4.) Return the soup to the pot and stir in the cream and sherry. Heat through over a low heat. Check the seasoning and serve.
French onion soup (with video)
Bonjour! One the best things about the onset of Autumn and the chillier weather is that I get to eat soup all the time! Yes, I actually get rather excited about this. I try to make a couple of big batches of different flavours, and then freeze them in portions so that I always have some on hand for quick lunches. (If only I was that organised with all my meals!)
Mushroom soup with chevin and thyme toasts (with video)
Soup has been on the menu just about every day lately, it has become my lunchtime staple. There is something very satisfying about making it from scratch and this particular recipe includes two of my favourite food groups – mushrooms and cheese. Those are definitely food groups by the way.
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Carrot and coriander soup
If the weather where you are is anything like it is in Cape Town, then you’ve come to the right place! This recipe came about on a chilly Thursday afternoon – I was craving something warm, spiced, filling but not too heavy…in other words, a hearty home made soup! So I grabbed my chopping board and went about throwing some of my favourite flavours and ingredients into a pot and this was the result – my carrot and coriander soup.
