Celebrate Soup Day with Us

The Winter Solstice — the shortest day of the year — has become one of my favourite days of the year.  At our place, we like to call it Soup Day.

There’s just something about a pot bubbling away on the stove that makes the whole house feel warmer. It’s the scent of garlic and onions gently softening, the slow simmer of veggies, herbs, and whatever goodness you’ve got in the fridge. Soup doesn’t need to be fancy — it just needs to be made with heart.

For me, Soup Day is about slowing down. Lighting a few candles, popping on a pair of thick socks, and gathering around the table for something nourishing and soul-warming. And of course, I always reach for my favourite bamboo bowls — they’re lightweight, sturdy, and just the right size for a generous ladle (or three).

One of my Favourite things to Cook...
If you know me, you might know I'm not much into cooking; Mr Outdoor Table takes care of that (thank goodness).  However, if there's one thing I do like to cook it's soup.   And - to help you celebrate your own version of Soup Day, I’m sharing two of my go-to recipes below. These are the ones I return to year after year — simple, hearty, and full of flavour.  

Recipe 1 - Spicy Chorizo & Red Lentil Soup with Kale
I stumbled across this recipe many years ago when a friend of mine gave me some Kale from his garden.  I looked in the fridge and didn't know what to cook, so I typed I have Kale and Chorizo into google, and this recipe came up.  It's from a lady in Alaska - and I figured, if she didn't know how to make a warming soup, nobody would!  Its been a firm favourite ever since.  My tip - Grow Kale in your vege garden.  It's the gift that keeps on giving - The leaves just keep on coming; I harvest one or two each day for my breaky or lunch, and it's been growing steadily now for months and months.  

You will need:
500gm Chorizo (spicy one is best), chopped into small chunks
1 Onion, chopped
2 Cloves of garlic, minced
2 Celery stalks, chopped (I leave this out, because hubby hates celery)
1 Large carrot, peeled and chopped
2 Cups kale, chopped
1 Cup red lentils
1 440gm Can diced tomatoes
6 Cups chicken stock
Salt to taste
I add in - Smoked Paprika to taste (about 1/4 Tsp or less)

Method:
Place a large heavy based pan over medium heat.  Brown the Chorizo.  Add in the onion and garlic, then carrot, celery and kale and sauté  until the vegetables start to soften.  About 5 minutes, stir often to avoid catching.   Add the lentils, tomatoes, and chicken stock and bring to a simmer.  Turn the heat down to low, cover the soup and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the lentils are soft, stirring often so the soup doesn't stick as it thickens.  When the lentils are soft and the soup has thickened, taste for seasoning.  Add salt, and smoked paprika to give a real depth of flavour.  

Serve with some amazing crusty bread you found at your local bakery. 

Recipe 2 - Swiss Cream of Potato Soup
My Nanna gave me this recipe more than 30 years ago.  She was a real collector of soup recipes, and mum still has her cook book full of her old soup recipes... I forgot all about it, until recently.  I found it in an old folder I had up in the back of the Kitchen cupboard. 

It is sensational! I hope you like it as much as we do.

You will need:
4 Medium potatoes, peeled
2 Rashes of bacon, diced
1/4 Cup chopped onion
2 Tbs Butter
1 Tbs Chopped parsley
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
Dash Cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp dry Mustard (or I use Dijon mustard)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3 cups milk
1/2 Cup grated tasty cheese
Salt to taste

Method:
Cook the potatoes in a large heavy based pot until tender, drain.
Sauté the bacon and onion over a low heat, stirring until brown and tender.  
Mash the potatoes, add in the bacon and onion, butter, parsley, nutmeg, cayenne, salt, mustard & Worcestershire sauce.  Stir in the milk.  Blend with a blender until smooth.  Heat over a low heat, stirring, sprinkle in the tasty cheese and serve.

Serve with an extra sprinkle of parsley and of course, some lovely crusty bread you found at your local bakery.

I have a few more  favourites... such as the good old Pea and Ham, the staple Chicken and Veg and a rather brilliant Pea and Basil one (Thank you Donna Hay).  What's your favourite soup recipe? 

If you're after the perfect bowl to serve your winter warmers, have a little peek at our Bamboo Tableware Collection.  They're as lovely on the eye as they are to eat from.