Sunday, October 10, 2010

So Many Soups, So Little Time

By Christine Szalay-Kudra

Every culture makes soup. This comforting food comes in many varieties that are renowned the world over. While you may think that chicken noodle is the best soup ever, someone else may be dreaming of Japanese ramen or Cock-a-leekie from Scotland. The point is soup is served all over the world as a comforting source of nutrition.

Chilled verities come from all over the world. Russia makes not only a hot and a cold borscht using different recipes, they also make a cold kind called Okroshka, which is a vegetable and ham combination is made with kefir. Vichyssoise is a French cold verity made of potatoes and leeks. Tarator is a Bulgarian cold verity made from cucumbers and yogurt.

If you want to try a new flavor, why not try some Lagman... it is a traditional soup made of vegetables, pasta, ground lamb, and spices from Uzbekistan. Another unusual kind is Zurek. This is a soup from Poland that is made from wheat and sausages. It is frequently served in a bread bowl. Islensk Kjotsupa is a traditional verity from Iceland made of vegetables and lamb.

If you enjoy a good broth, there are many you can choose from. Avgolemono is a Greek one that is made from rice, lemon juice and the yolk of an egg. Scotch broth is obviously from Scotland. The ingredients in this traditional verity include vegetables, barley, and mutton. Panada is a bread soup. It is made with eggs, leftover bread, beef broth, and Parmesan cheese. Consomm is the ultimate broth.

If you are looking for a soup that is different from what you are used to, how about Zurek, a wheat soup from Poland? It is served with sausages. Sundubu jjigae is from Korea. It is a soup or stew made of spices and mild tofu. Caldo verde is from Portugal made of minced cabbage. These soups are very delicious and worth a try.

You can always try a kind with a name that will amuse your friends. Snert is a pea verity from the Netherlands that is served with sliced sausage. It sounds perfect for winter. Cock-a-leekie is a Scottish verity made of chicken broth, potatoes, and leeks. Fufu and Egusi soup is from Nigeria. It is made of fish, meat, vegetable and balls made of ground melon seed.

If you like vegetables, an onion soup recipe may fill the bill. You can make it completely vegetarian and use vegetable broth or you can make it with beef broth. Lentil soup is popular in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Lentils are high in protein and very filling. Shchav is a soup made from the sorrel plant that is popular in Yiddish, Polish, and Russian cultures.

If you like chowders, you will know how good they are. They are usually thick and creamy and feature seafood of one kind or another. Clam chowder is probably the best known. Corn chowder is also very popular with some people. The sweet corn gives it a wonderful flavor.

About the Author:
Onion soup is a delicious peasant food from France that has been enjoyed for centuries. This simple fare is just as satisfying today as it was way back when. Imagine bowls of steaming soup topped with bread and cheese set out on the large farm table while the family gathers around.

How basic is soup? It was probably the first meal after the invention of the pot! The most varied of all our staples and a great opportunity for being creative!

Chef Brian
Cooking Tips

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