Soup's on!

Soup’s on is an iconic call to come eat what’s been prepared. I am fascinated with food history! I quickly learned from a Google search that the phrase comes from a German word “sup, or suppa,” meaning some kind of hot broth meant for soaking bread. The phrase “soup’s on,” or “soup’s up” no longer refers exclusively to soup, however. Soup is no longer described simply, as a broth. Now there are countless varieties from which to choose: hot, cold, commercially canned, homemade, spicy, sweet, savory, with pasta, rice, beans, vegetables, etc. It is estimated that soup has been a thing since 6,000 B.C. The oldest soup vessels were found in China. The Campbell’s Soup Company has been making soup for more than 126 years and it is estimated that 1 billion cans were consumed during the recent pandemic. Soup, not surprisingly, has the title “January Is National Soup Month” dedicated to its popularity and longevity.

For those of us who have cautiously and courageously side-stepped the commercially prepared soup aisle, soup nirvana awaits! With a little knowledge, practice and creativity, you can create your own signature soup with just a few ingredients.

There are nine steps to creating a simple soup, according to New Hampshire University Extension, full link at https://extension.unh.edu/recipe-tags/simple-recipes

Step 1-Choose two tablespoons of preferred cooking oil/ part butter, if desired

Step 2-Cook chopped medium onion.

Step 3-Choose three cups chopped veg. and add to the pan.

Step 4-Choose one pound protein of choice

Step 5-Choose one starch item to add to pan (potatoes three to four, pasta four oz., one half cup uncooked rice)

Step 6-Choose broth, tomatoes/juice, milk, or combination. Total of four cups.

Step 7-Add one or more dried seasonings if applicable.

Step 8-Partially cover pot and simmer until protein is cooked and vegetables are tender.

Step 9-Add fresh herbs (if using) and simmer for an additional five minutes. Salt/pepper to taste.

Makes approximately four servings.

Every culture has a collection of prized soup recipes containing secret ingredients that often require specific preparation techniques. A recently discovered old family cookbook recipe required the “boiling of a hog” to produce a savory ham and bean soup for a crowd. That would have been quite the crowd!

There is nothing like savoring a delicious and nutritious garden-fresh soup any day of the year.

“Soup’s on,” everyone. Enjoy!