Weekend Cafe – 23/24/1/2016 – Soup Month

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  • #843006
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    With the cold weather still in abundance, January is the perfect month to celebrate and enjoy soup of all kinds. Through the ages, soup has sustained and nourishes us so dip into a steaming bowl of Bisque, Broth or a cold Gazpacho for a comforting meal.

    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/imgres-2_zpsn4vd7ugs.jpg
    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/512488233_f9b7b60e2e_zpsttu0nxdq.jpg
    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/imgres-1_zpsdiwsce4w.jpg
    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/images_zpsjjzhvhrz.jpg
    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/HoboSoup_zpsjdvgzcnq.jpg
    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/Crock-pot-lolcat_zps0jjrunem.jpg

    We’ve seen Jonas becoming a Nor-easter and move in so bring out the sweaters, coats, and scarves to keep cozy and warm.

    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/images-4_zpssqikc9xe.jpg

    Have a happy~
    PG
    http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/janedodo/images-3_zpsdetd7tc5.jpg

    #843008
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    It’s Gazpachocado for the MS’s tonight. Then bbq and cold salads. We are melting but thinking of those is the path of Jonas.




    #843009
    CatWScotia
    Participant

    Mr CWS is a dab hand with a ladle, but I don’t think he uses a recipe. He just makes them up as he goes along, depending on what kinds of veg he can get his hands on. His cheese soup is rather good – very warming and filling.

    #843010
    jcat
    Participant

    Hi, everyone. I like my own leek and potato soup (even if I do say so myself) but apart from that I am not really a soup girl. Besides, it is too hot for soup here…

    #843011
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    Jcat, is it sweltering at your place too?
    Way too hot here to do anything except sit by the fan and occasionally go to the door and try to convince HRH that she should be inside.

    #843012
    jcat
    Participant

    It is, MS, it really is. A bit too hot for me, to tell the truth… How have you been lately?

    #843013
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    I’ve been pretty well, the usual knee problems sometimes worse and had a nasty toothache last week that really knocked me about but otherwise enjoying Summer. It was so busy over Christmas/New Year with the family up from Welly and a family wedding but things are quieter now.
    Just been trying to get through this very hot weather and trying to keep the garden alive. Sadly some of it has succumbed to the high temps. The highest temp I measured today was 32.6C.
    How have you and Miss Millie been?

    #843014
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    CWS your cheese soup sounds intriguing and delicious to a cheese lover.

    So sweet

    Catch you on the flip side.

    #843015
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    Good morning – great pics but MS, that sweet kitten pic is giving me a toothache – in a good way!
    Nice to see you, Jcat. Sorry you and MS are melting. The wind is coming out of the northeast – will do my best to give it an extra push in your direction. (Hey, I know it’s fantasy, but the good thoughts can’t hurt!)
    Well, winter storm Jonas arrived overnight. Snow is coming down at a rate of 2-3″ per hour and sustained winds are averaging 20 mph. Hard to say how much snow is here because it’s coming down sideways. The little lean-to has some snow blowing into it so I’m not sure if any cats will come out. As much as I want them to eat, I would rather them stay hunkered down wherever they are. I will go out and put food in each of the shelters though, as well as the lean-to. We will be staying safe here. No where to go; the streets won’t be clear anytime soon anyway.
    Going to get some soup going in the slow cooker soon. If/when the power goes out at least we’ll have something hot to eat. CWS, your cheese soup sounds amazing!

    #843016
    lagatta
    Participant

    Yes, for our friends in the Austral realm, it is more the time for salads and cold soups, though I could certainly see a fish soup as a summery meal. So the Portuguese caldo verde will be more for Portuguese than southern Brazilians now:
    http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/portuguese-kale-and-potato-soup-356029

    Caldo Verde | Portuguese Kale Soup Recipe


    Mine is sort of in-between these two versions; I purΓ©e about half of the kale (or collard) and potato soup; a similar technique to many pulse-based soups. I chop the potatoes much smaller than the epicurious version (this is how I’ve had it at Portuguese restaurants). I use a LOT of kale (a whole bunch) thoroughly washed and chopped into a very fine julienne (like “whiskers”). I enjoy the mindless task of chopping, but I don’t have several children to chop for!
    Here is a version that would be good for vegetarians, as it incorporated chickpeas: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mixed-leafy-green-soup-caldo-verde-with-chickpeas Though I’d add more olive oil than they call for in this version. If this is your main supper dish, it won’t mean a very high-calorie meal and it will be much tastier and more warming in the winter cold.

    #843018
    AV
    Participant

    Good Caterday morning all! ….. My soup de jour will be jumablaya today, its fairly cold here, and we can’t go anywhere because the roads are closed for the parade …. I love cold gazpacho in the summertime, I’m always excited when our farmers markets gets their new crop of cukes and maters in !

    #843019
    CatWScotia
    Participant

    He came in just as I was reading this page, so I grabbed him and asked for the recipe. It came straight off the top of his head – so I hope it works!

    Cheese soup

    1 onion
    1 kilo carrots
    1 medium potato
    200 grams Cheddar cheese
    Half pint double or single cream, to taste

    (Do NOT use stock or stock cubes)

    Make conventional carrot soup with onion, carrot, potato – add seasoning as you usually do.
    Cook for 25 minutes.
    Allow to cool.
    When warm, not hot, grate in a quarter of the cheese and stir in, then grate in next quarter, stir in, and so on.
    Finally stir in cream to taste.
    Retain a small quantity of cream to swirl on top when serving.
    Re-heat, NOT in microwave, gently, as curdled cream and cheese are disgusting!

    Notes
    Quantities may be adjusted depending on what’s available, and to taste.
    A wooden spoon is best for stirring.
    Best not made in large quantities, because with cream and cheese it doesn’t keep for long.

    I should perhaps add that all his soups are adjustable – so they’re always a little different from the last time!

    #843022
    CatWScotia
    Participant

    P.S. He said the soup is entirely calorie-free . . . but I suspect he was kidding.

    πŸ˜‰

    #843023
    AV
    Participant

    CWS, that soup sounds delish, I’ll have to try it!

    …catching up on some dvr’d shows this morning ( since we can’t go anywhere ) …. Will start my jumbalaya this afrernoon …. Making a salmon & cucumber sami for lunch πŸ™‚ … Abby is keeping me company, sleeping on her blue blankie at the foot of the bed

    #843025
    Buttons
    Moderator

    hey all :)) yummy soups sound delious. especially that cheese soup CWS πŸ™‚

    Jcat & MS hope the heat wave eases off for you too… I’m sure that cold breeze Joan is sending your way will help πŸ˜‰

    sorry to hear about the tooth ache MS… make sure you have some Clove oil Handy it help to numb the pain if you can’t get to the dentist .. it’s what kept Mr B going till he got into a dentist over the Christmas weekend..

    so I hope everyone in the path of that nasty storm stays safe.. I think your right Joan those kitty’s are better off staying hiden for a while..

    hope everyone is having a great weekend πŸ˜†

    #843026
    Buttons
    Moderator

    oh here is some Riley pics πŸ™‚

    he’s doing well and we have started the process for his pet passport so he can travel to Sweden in a couple of weeks.. bloody hell its expensive! he’s neutered now and the lady at the kennel where he’s staying is great with him she’s even training him! he’s great on the lead now and amazing with all the other dogs..! I just know he’s gonna get an amazing home!

    #843027
    Buttons
    Moderator

    #843031
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    Thanks for the recipes, Lagatta, kale and potato soup sounds right up my alley! And thank you for posting the cheese soup recipe, CWS. It’s very possible that it does not have calories, but in case you’re not sure, put it on top of your refrigerator. It is a known fact that calories are afraid of heights and will jump off, leaving your soup (or anything else you put up there) calorie free! You’re welcome.
    Hi Buttons – Riley is adorable!
    This is one nasty storm and isn’t showing any signs of letting up. We’ve got white-out conditions and estimate at least 2 feet of snow. Had some tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches and then made a dozen chocolate chip cookies. Figure I’d make stuff while we have power – so far, so good.

    #843032
    Kittyzee
    Participant

    Just my contribution to soup day–this is the recipe to Zuppa Toscana (like the Olive Garden soup) it really IS easy to make even though it looks detailed. It is delicious and especially great on a cold winter’s day!

    1 pound Italian sausage (spicy)
    4-6 russet potatoes, cut into bite-sized cubes
    1 onion, chopped
    1/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
    2 tablespoons garlic, minced
    32 ounces chicken broth
    1/2 bunch kale (or swiss chard), destemmed and cut/torn into bite-sized pieces
    1 cup heavy whipping cream
    2 tablespoons flour
    salt and pepper to taste
    cayenne pepper to taste

    1. Brown sausage links in a sautΓ© pan.
    2. Cut links in half lengthwise, then cut slices.
    3. Place sausage, chicken broth, garlic, potatoes and onion in slow cooker. Add just enough water to cover the vegetables and meat.
    4. Cook on high 3-4 hours (low 5-6 hours) until potatoes are soft.
    30 minutes before serving:
    5. Mix flour into cream removing lumps.
    6. Add cream and kale to the crock pot, stir.
    7. Cook on high 30 minutes or until broth thickens slightly.
    8. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.
    9. Top with bacon immediately before serving.

    #843033
    Moonshadow_NZ
    Moderator

    Good morning all.
    JJ, that wee kitty gave me toothache in a good way too when I saw the pic so I just had to post it.
    Brrrrrrrr, time to hunker down at your place, I hope the kitties are doing the same. Knowing how well cats read the weather I think they will have found the best spots to ride the storm out. Soup in the slow cooker and the fire warming you and the kits is the best way to wait out Jonas. I hope the power doesn’t go out but you are well prepared.
    Lagatta – Mr MS is out on the ocean waves fishing as I type. Who knows, maybe we will have fish soup for dinner. Great looking recipes, I am a big fan of kale. I too enjoy chopping, it can be quite soothing.
    AV, have you tried KK’s version, Gazpachocado? I have taken to adding smoked paprika to it, goes so well with the avocado.
    CWS, thanks for the recipe, it sounds delightfully indulgent – just what you need on a bitterly cold day. Calorie free you say?
    😯 πŸ™„
    I have favourited this thread so I can find that recipe come Winter for us down here.
    Hi Buttons, I seem to have missed out on the Riley story, I was AWOL over Christmas/New Year with so much going on and family staying. He is a handsome boy and well behaved.
    ROTLF JJ, πŸ˜† πŸ˜† πŸ˜† πŸ˜† at your calories comment. That is the funniest thing I have heard regarding food in ages and delivered so matter of factly. You sound so sincere and serious that I must try it out. πŸ˜‰ πŸ˜‰
    Wow JJ, 2 feet of snow already. You may as well prepare food while you have power in case you are stuck in by further falls of snow.
    I will be thinking of everyone in Jonas’ path, I notice many have not posted today and I hope they are all fine but maybe without power. Aiming fans at top speed in all your directions(fantasy or not we believe on TDK).

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