Confessions of a Foodie

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Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Soup's On!

Is there anything better to eat on a cold winter's day than homemade soup? Maybe not. To that end, here are six yummy homemade soups to try your spoon on, including Super-Delicious Zuppa Toscana and West African Peanut Soup. Enjoy!

SOUP JOUMOU

Checking Facebook on New Year's Day of 2023, I saw that someone had posted about joumou, including a photo of it. Another FB friend had a PSA about it, with a brief description. Between the two, I figured I had to check it out.

This recipe is from Cindy Similien and adapted by Priya Krishna on The New York Times cooking site. Priya wrote, "For Haitians, soup joumou is synonymous with freedom. The story goes that during French colonial rule of Haiti, enslaved Africans were forced by their oppressors to cultivate squash for this dish but were not allowed to eat it. When Haitians won their independence on Jan. 1, 1804, they ate soup joumou to celebrate. The formula varies slightly from family to family, but usually includes calabaza squash, beef marinated in a bright epis seasoning of onions, peppers and herbs, an assortment of other vegetables and pasta. This classic version is adapted from “Let’s Speak Haitian Food: Stories from the Haitian Diaspora on Cuisine, Community and Culture” by Cindy Similien, a Haitian-American author and community advocate. The inclusion of both vermicelli and homemade dumplings adds a springy bite and thickens the broth of this one-pot dish, which can be made on Haitian Independence Day, or for any special occasion."

Time: 2 hours, plus marinating; Yield: 6 to 10 servings (about 20 cups)

This was featured in "With a Fortifying Soup, Haitians Share Their Pride in Independence", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021716-soup-joumou. While you're at it, check out the article that this was featured in, as it's really pretty interesting.

Ingredients

For the Epis Seasoning

1 large green bell pepper, stemmed and chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed and chopped

1/2 white onion, chopped

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 celery stalk, chopped

2 scallions, trimmed and chopped

1 fresh parsley sprig

5 garlic cloves, peeled

1 chicken bouillon cube

1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme leaves

1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

For the Soup

1 pound boneless beef chuck, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 3 limes)

5 tablespoons epis seasoning

2 pounds calabaza squash, peeled and roughly chopped

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 chicken bouillon cube

5 medium Idaho or russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1/2 small head green cabbage, shredded (about 3 cups)

4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

1 large white onion, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 scallions, trimmed and sliced

3 fresh parsley sprigs

1 Scotch Bonnet pepper

1/4 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/4teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup vermicelli

For the Dumplings

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Prepare the epis seasoning: Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and purée. Use epis or transfer to a large jar and refrigerate for up to 6 weeks. (Similar to sofrito, epis is versatile and adds extra kick and flavor. It can be used to marinate beef, fish or chicken, or stirred into rice or soup.)

Prepare the soup: Rinse the beef with lukewarm water, then transfer the meat to a large bowl. Add the lime juice and rub it into the meat until coated. Add 5 tablespoons epis seasoning and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate to marinate, ideally overnight or for at least 30 minutes.

When ready to cook, purée the calabaza squash with 1 cup water in a blender; set aside.

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium. Add the meat with its marinade, the tomato paste and bouillon cube, crushing it between your fingertips. Cook the meat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture caramelizes and darkens, about 10 minutes. Transfer the meat to a bowl to set aside.

Add 6 cups water to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the squash purée, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onion, celery, scallions, parsley, Scotch Bonnet pepper, thyme, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil again. Stir in the meat with its juices.

Once the mixture comes to a boil, cover the pot, reduce the heat to simmer over low, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove and discard the Scotch bonnet pepper. (Do not let it burst. If it does, your soup will be very spicy!) Stir in the vermicelli. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the dumplings: Combine the flour, oil, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup water in a medium bowl and stir to combine. (You can knead slightly, if needed, to get the dough to come together.) Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it between your palms into an elongated shape the width of your palm, about 4 inches long. Add the dumpling to the soup and continue to make dumplings with the remaining dough, dropping them into the soup as they are rolled. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until dumplings are softened and cooked through but still firm, 15 to 20 minutes.

If the soup is too thick for your taste, stir in water, about 1 cup or as desired. Remove pot from heat and serve warm.

HERBED CARROT SOUP



From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett



Ingredients

2 pounds of carrots, chopped

1 large onion, diced

6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking

2 cloves garlic, crushed

4 Tbs of butter

6 C of vegetable stock or chicken stock

Freshly grated mace or nutmeg

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.

HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

This is from MyRecipes, and begins, "Once you've made your own veggie-packed pot of chicken noodle soup, you won't go back to the canned, supersalty stuff again."

Hands-on Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 6 servings (serving size: about 1-1/4 cups)

To view this online, go to https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/homemade-chicken-noodle-soup.

Ingredients

1-1/2 tablespoons canola oil

1-1/2 cups thinly sliced carrot

1 cup finely chopped onion

2/3 cup thinly sliced celery

2 cups water

1 (32-ounce) container unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)

1 teaspoon dried thyme or 3 fresh thyme sprigs

6 ounces whole-grain rotini (such as Barilla; about 2 cups)

8 ounces skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast, shredded

4 ounces skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken thigh, shredded

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Heat a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add carrot, onion, and celery; sauté 5 minutes.

While vegetables cook, pour 2 cups water and stock into a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH for 5 minutes. (This saves up to 10 minutes in the pot.)

Add hot stock mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Stir in thyme and pasta; reduce heat to medium, and cook 8 minutes.

Add chicken, salt, and pepper to pan; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated and pasta is tender.

SUPER-DELICIOUS ZUPPA TOSCANA

This was on AllRecipes, and begins, "This is an oh-so-good recipe. Just the right amount of spice to make you take a cold drink but definitely keep coming back for more! This soup is irresistible!"

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/143069/super-delicious-zuppa-toscana/.

Ingredients

1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage

1-1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

5 (13.75 ounce) cans chicken broth

6 potatoes, thinly sliced

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 bunch fresh spinach, tough stems removed

Directions

Cook the Italian sausage and red pepper flakes in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crumbly, browned, and no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Cook the bacon in the same Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain, leaving a few tablespoons of drippings with the bacon in the bottom of the Dutch oven. Stir in the onions and garlic; cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Pour the chicken broth into the Dutch oven with the bacon and onion mixture; bring to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes, and boil until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and the cooked sausage; heat through. Mix the spinach into the soup just before serving.

Editor's Note:

Please note the differences in serving size and the substitution of lacinato kale for spinach when using the magazine version of this recipe.

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

This yummy soup is from Chungah, on her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. I've mentioned her site once or twice. But if you haven't visited it yet, I highly recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap...)

Okay, hopefully you checked it out. Now, this recipe begins, "So warm, so cozy, so soothing. A must for those busy cold weeknights, using up that leftover rotisserie chicken!"

Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes

You can view this online at https://damndelicious.net/2022/04/29/creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/.

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 sweet onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 celery ribs, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup dry white wine

6 cups chicken stock

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3 cups leftover shredded rotisserie chicken

2 cups wide egg noodles

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup frozen green peas

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.

Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in chicken stock and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until flavors have blended, about 10 minutes.

Stir in chicken and pasta and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Stir in heavy cream, peas and parsley until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately.

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP

This interesting soup comes from Drumnwrite in Allrecipes. The recipe begins, "Tomatoes and peanut butter? YES! The first time I tried this at a health food restaurant, I was hooked. About 5 years of tweaking the recipe to my personal taste has created a spicy, sweet favorite amongst my friends and family. Luckily there is always enough for everyone!"

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings:10

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/68530/west-african-peanut-soup/.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 medium onions, very finely diced

2 large bell peppers, (any color) finely chopped

6 large cloves garlic, minced

1 (28 ounce) can chopped tomatoes with juice

8 cups vegetable broth

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 (18 ounce) jar creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Add rice to soup and stir. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes, or until rice is tender.

When rice is cooked, whisk in peanut butter and return to a simmer, and serve. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, if desired.

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