Holiday meals are so epic that individual dishes tend to get lost. It’s an endless parade of decadence. No matter how special they may be, it will always be hard for soups, sprouts, and sides to steal the show. But despite all this indulgent noise, we still have to put effort into each dish. That’s because a low note in a sea of high notes is bound to be the most memorable. Sad but true. So while it may be tempting to phone it in on the soup course (if you’re even bothering with a soup course) I’m here to tell you it’s not worth it. But I get it, when you’re elbow-deep in a turkey, soup may seem like a low priority. The solution? This Silky Acorn Squash Soup! It’s tasty, festive, and nearly effortless to put together.
Red Leicester Broccoli Soup
There are few things on this planet as comforting and cozy as a big bowl of creamy soup. And today’s Red Leicester Broccoli Soup is a prime example of just that. This rich, stick-to-ribs dish features a classic mirepoix simmered with white beans and then pureed. Premium Red Leicester cheese is melted into the velvety soup before lightly steamed broccoli is folded in. This soup is luscious, thick, and completely captivating. And it’s not horrible for you, which is more than I can say for most beloved creamy soups. So grab a spoon and let’s dive in!
Smoked Duck Split Pea Soup with Swiss Chard
Spring is here at long last, so why doesn’t it feel like it? Well, it could be in full swing where you are, but here in Canada we recently shoveled our way out of a snowstorm. I wish I could say this was a freak incident. It is not. If you grew up in Canada, you’ve had your heart broken by a late March blizzard. You’ve probably also been burned by the ever-charming April version as well. So if spring snow is par for the course for us hearty canucks, we should be fine with it, right?! No. We’re grumpy and impatient as all hell, or at least I am. The only upside I see to this bonus winter is the opportunity to squeeze a few more comfort foods into the season. Dishes like today’s Smoked Duck Split Pea Soup.
Creamy Kale Lentil Soup with Pickled Fennel
Happy New Year! This is my first post of 2024 and naturally, it is a vegetable-heavy soup with a plant-based protein. I’m aware of how predictable this recipe is. Just call me “basic” and be done with it. But despite all evidence to the contrary, this Creamy Kale Lentil Soup is not part of a larger scheme to eat healthier. While it’s true this vibrant green pick-me-up delivers an entire head of kale and an entire bulb of fennel in a velvety smooth slurp-able format, it is also true that I made it because I was craving it.