GREAT soup cookbook

[frugal-one]

Just got a WONDERFUL soup book at a garage sale. It is BY FAR the best soup cookbook I have found. It is called "The Big Book of Soups & Stews" by Maryana Vollstedt.

[Tussiemussies]

Hi frugal,

Are there some vegetarian option in there? Are you planning on making any of the recipes soon? :)

[frugal-one]

Hi Christine,

Yes, there are a number of vegetarian selections.... at least 33 under that heading. The book contains 262 recipes for soups and stews. The recipes use herbs liberally (which is something I need to learn to do better). The ingredients listed are either on hand or easily obtainable. I am so impressed by the book that I just ordered a copy for a friend. I will be trying a number of recipes... frugal-one

[Rosemary]

I have a fabulous vegetarian soup cookbook - "Love Soup" by Anna Thomas (author of The Vegetarian Epicure from some years ago). I have made many soups from it and every single one has been excellent. Most do not rely on dairy, either, so they are easily adaptable to vegan diets.

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks frugal one. That is so sweet that you ordered this book for your friend....sounds like there a lot of vegetarian options, I am going to look this book up on Amazon. Com. A lot of herbs are healing so that sounds good. Thanks a bunch for posting about this....

Hi Rosemary, Thanks for letting me know about your cookbook "Love Soup" I like to try new soups and your cookbook and frugal-ones onus really good. I am going to look it up on Amazin too. Thanks so much for letting me know... : )

[larknm]

Do either of the soup books mentioned above use very few ingredients in their vegan soups? I realize I never use recipes that call for lots of ingredients, but would like to make soup.

[Rosemary]

Depends what you mean by "very few." Most vegan recipes rely on vegetables and herbs/spices for flavoring. I would say that "Love Soup" recipes are easy but contain an average number of ingredients.

You can probably see some sample recipes on the book previews at books.google.com or Amazon.

[frugal-one]

The vegan recipes I looked at show many vegetables (could could add or delete as desired), a broth/water/etc and herbs. Also simple recipes like 'Roasted Tomato and Onion Soup with Herbs". I like the book in that it shows different ethnic types of recipes. Many of the recipes use "stuff" you would normally have in the house. The number of ingredients you use depends on you. As with any recipe, you need to modify to your tastes.

Thanks Rosemary... I will check out the "Love Soup" book too!

[Rosemary]

For minimalist recipes, I can suggest a couple of other sources:
http://thestonesoup.com/blog/soups/# -- 5-ingredient recipes. I have not tried them.
Mark Bittman's cookbooks. I have 'How to Cook Everything Vegetarian' and the recipes are simple, but good.

[Florence]

Speaking of soup I made a really good Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner this evening. Here's the recipe:
Chicken Noodle Soup
(4 servings)

2 stalks celery
2 carrots
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
32 oz. box chicken stock
2 cups fine egg soup noodles
1 small handful fresh parsley
Salt & pepper
Crusty bread, to serve (optional)

1. Chop celery and carrots. Heat a medium pan over a low heat, then add butter. Once it is foaming add celery, carrots, salt, a few grinds of black pepper, thyme leaves, and bay leaf. Cover with a lid and cook gently for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are starting to soften, stirring occasionally.

2. Place the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables, then pour in the broth.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover, then cook for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Shred the meat using 2 forks or chop it into small pieces with a knife, then return it to the pan.

4. Remove the bay leaf from the pan. Add the noodles and simmer for 4 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Roughly chop the parsley and stir it into the soup. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

5. Enjoy the soup on its own or with crusty bread & butter.

[Amaranth]

What other soup cookbooks do people like? Or cookbooks with a really good soup chapter?

[cdttmm]

What other soup cookbooks do people like? Or cookbooks with a really good soup chapter?

I like The Daily Soup Cookbook by Leslie Kaul, Bob Spiegel, Carla Ruben, and Peter Spiegel.

I'm incapable of following a recipe to the letter so I often use cookbooks for ideas and then develop my own concoctions. The Daily Soup Cookbook has given me a lot of good ideas. I would imagine that following the recipes exactly would result in good soup, too. :D

[frugal-one]

I made my first soup from this book. It was even better reheated. Could not be easier!

Rancho Soup

1#lean ground beef (could use turkey too)
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups beef stock or broth
1 cup fresh or purchased salsa


Brown beef and onion, add remaining ingredients, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered to blend flavors, 10 to 15 minutes. Suggested topping with chips and avocado slices.

I did not have broth so used Penzeys beef soup base. Also used my own canned salsa and topped with taco chips. Will make again!