Nothing Like a Hot Bowl of Soup

This time of year, when the evenings are cold, come suppertime there is nothing my husband and I like better than to start our meal with a hot, thick bowl of soup.

Hot soup warms the body and soul, takes away any chills and sets the stage for the rest of the meal. No food comforts like homemade soup.

According to food historians, soup is considered one of the first fast foods. The history of soup is as old as the history of cooking. The act of combining various ingredients in a large pot to create a nutritious, filling, easily digested food was seen as something that both the rich and poor homemaker could prepare to nurture their families.

Among the earliest soups recorded was a recipe that combined peas, lentils and beans.

Soups are traditionally classified as either clear soups or thick soups. Whichever type of soup you are eating, savor the flavor and enjoy its taste.

My husband and I have our favorite soups, and I would like to share some of those recipes with you.

Note

Vegetables and legumes should be checked for insect infestation and washed before using.

All soup recipes given here are pareve (neither meat nor dairy). The vegetable soup and the spicy red lentil soup can be made into a meat soup by browning either turkey or chicken pieces, and then adding the vegetables and following the rest of the recipe.

If you prefer a dairy soup, you can add grated cheese before serving to the vegetable soup, spicy red lentil soup and the mushroom and barley soup.