SIMPLE COMFORTS

Secret to tasty soup

Acold-weather comfort, soup is a perennial classic that pairs with other cozy and comforting foods ( like grilled cheese, or freshly baked rolls). But did you know how easy it is to make — or that you don’t even need a recipe? While there are plenty of great recipes to follow (there are over 35 soup recipes we love right now) sometimes it’s fun to get a little creative. Here’s what you need to know if you want to go off-book in the kitchen:

There are just four basic ingredient groups to remember (five including the finishing flourish), which make endless variations of vegetable soup.

1 Aromatics

The base of any soup starts with diced onion. For a flavour boost that won’t overpower the soup, add one or more of the following: Leeks Shallots Garlic Celery Fennel Sweating is the process of cooking aromatics slowly in oil or butter until they are soft, tender and translucent. Don’t rush this step! Sweating breaks down the cell walls in the vegetables, which is crucial for creamy, smooth soups.

2 Flavour add-ins

This is where you can get creative; choose one or two of the following to put your spin on the soup:

2 tbsp herbs (such as thyme, sage or rosemary)

1 tsp ground spice (cumin, coriander, or curry powder) ¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp cinammon

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp miso paste

1 minced red chilli

2 tbsp red curry paste

1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

1 diced apple or pear

½ a roasted head of garlic

1 pinch of saffron

1 tbsp soy sauce

3 Base Vegetable

This formula works best with starchy vegetables that, when puréed, break down and give the soup its creamy consistency. Try any one of the following, or use a combination: Squash Sweet potatoes Pumpkin Carrots Parsnips Celery root Potatoes Beets Cauliflower Corn

Chop vegetables into 1-inch pieces. Option: Roast the vegetables at 400F until tender and caramelized to deepen the flavour.

Add to the soup.

4 Liquid

Water is the easiest, and allows the flavour of the base vegetable to shine. But you can also try: Vegetable stock Chicken stock Milk or cream 1 can coconut milk 1 cup juice (carrot, apple, orange)

Don’t be tempted to add more than our recommended 4 cups of liquid, as this can dilute flavour. You can always add more as you purée the soup if it’s too thick.

5 Garnish

Toppings are optional, but they’ll give your soup a more finished look. Plus, they’re delicious. Add richness with a dollop of sour cream, crunch with toasted pumpkin seeds, herbal notes with fresh tarragon, or spice with a drizzle of chili oil. Other ideas include: Fried sage leaves Crumbled bacon Grated cheese Greek yogurt Pesto Chopped herbs (dill, chives, parsley, thyme, rosemary, chervil) Grated parmesan Sesame oil Extra virgin olive oil

PURÉE PRO TIP

Purée soup until smooth in a blender (in batches if necessary), or with an immersion blender. This is when you can add more liquid to achieve desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.