Soup's On!!

Even though Winter is out of here, soups will remain on my menu several times a week. We love soup - I love to make soup - we love it as part of a meal, or as the meal itself with a great salad and a slice of bruschetta or garlic bread, hot and crunchy from the oven. My favorite recipes are from an English vegetarian restaurant named "Cranks" - their cookbook is awesome. Published in 1982, my copy is well worn and I pray it doesn't fall apart in my lifetime! Good, simple, wholesome, non meat food. I use this book more than any other - and I have so many - please say YOU do too so I won't feel so guilty about cookbook overload! Over the years I have often had to debate the vegetarian soup making issue. Many say good soup can only be made with a big old meat bone or chicken broth.................I've managed to prove them wrong as nobody ever pushed a bowl of my soup away - they loved it to the last drop, and usually asked for more ~ ha!

To serve company soup the beautiful TUREEN is necessary - it makes a simple food become elegant on the table - or on the kitchen island where I usually set mine up as we're not formal around here.

The tureen lids are little porcelain gems in their own right.

Here are some of my own collection of tureens. Like to make three hearty soups when having a "soup supper party". Perhaps Lentil Tomato, Squash Bisque with Creme Fraiche & Frizzled Leeks, and Cream of Spinach & Zucchini - served with a selection of crusty breads and crackers. I add two salads, usually classic Ceasar with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, and mixed Spring greens with Gorgonzola crumbles, thinly sliced Granny Smith apples, toasted pecans and balsamic vinegar dressing. Of course several desserts are in order and can be enjoyed by not having a heavy entree - friends enjoy English sherry trifle, French pear clafouti (great recipe for this in Ina Garten's "Barefoot in Paris"), and always something for the chocolate lovers - perhaps Grand Marnier brownies with orange buttercream frosting, yummy! Plenty of wine ready to be opened - would be great if you could all come by some evening and enjoy!