Tag-Archive for » Soup «

Stuffed Artichoke Soup

If you spend anytime at all on social media, you’re probably familiar with the trend where someone takes a popular main course and transforms it into a soup. On any given day, you can find the likes of Cabbage Roll Soup, Cheeseburger Soup, Chicken Potpie Soup and even Lasagna Soup flooding Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram feeds. The pictures are drool-worthy and they all sound deliciously inviting. But they pale in comparison to my recent discovery of a local obsession of the same kind—Stuffed Artichoke Soup. As the name implies, this soup brings together all the garlicky, [ ... ]

Sweet Potato and Andouille Bisque

Did you know that different states have different official emblems? Many extend well beyond the familiar capitals, colors and flags. And some are rather interesting. Take for example, the tartan. Considering I’m fashion-challenged, I had no clue what a tartan was but I’ve come to learn it’s a type of plaid. As in fabric. And a bunch of states, including Louisiana, have an officially designated pattern. Oh, yes. The Pelican State’s tartan is this dark green and blue number that’s rather attractive. It’s called Louisiana Tartan. Many states also identify [ ... ]

Cream of Mushroom Soup

If you’re anything like me, you always have a couple of cans of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup lurking in your pantry. It’s a staple that’s particularly important this time of year when many of us turn to “Umm, Umm Good” ingredients like those to complete time-honored holiday recipes. Until recently, I couldn’t imagine making Green Bean Casserole, a Shrimp Mold or Mock Oyster Dip without it. Then one day I decided, “Enough with the canned stuff!” And I began working on my own recipe. Here are three reasons why you should try it: Making Cream of Mushroom Soup from scratch [ ... ]
Category: Christmas, Soups, Thanksgiving  Tags:  Comments off

Cajun Black Bean Soup

Whenever I’m home, I always make time to visit one of my favorite grocery stores to stock up on local staples. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine to sneak away from the family and traipse down the aisles collecting food stuff I can’t find in Atlanta and discovering new homegrown goodies. When we stay with my in-laws in Kenner, my typical stops are Dorignac’s, Zuppardo’s and Langenstein’s. These are the old guards of family-owned, neighborhood grocery stores. Crossing the threshold of one of these well-respected establishments is like stepping back in time. The aisles are [ ... ]
Category: Main Dishes, Pork  Tags: , ,  4 Comments

Crab and Corn Bisque

While a warm bowl of bisque may not appeal to many of you this time of year, I can’t think of a better way to bring together two of the summer’s most appealing ingredients, Louisiana blue crab and corn. Each serving just screams, “ Sweet sunshine!” And if you already have some rich seafood stock socked away, it will come together quickly. Like most soups, this Crab and Corn Bisque will improve in the fridge for a day or two. And because it can be successfully frozen, I highly recommend doubling the recipe so a few months down [ ... ]

Crawfish Soup

While most of the country is welcoming the arrival of spring, New Orleanians are welcoming the arrival of crawfish. In my hometown, the two are a package deal. And when Mother Nature messes with the calendar and cool temps linger, both spring and crawfish season get delayed. That was the case this year (and last, if I recall correctly). Although there were a few sightings of crawfish before Mardi Gras (which was also late), the temperamental crustaceans didn’t start running consistently until a couple of weeks ago. Now everyone’s going crazy. Finally, seafood markets [ ... ]

Creole Onion Soup

Whenever I mention Creole Onion Soup in circles outside of New Orleans, I’m often asked how it differs from French Onion Soup. Well, like many New Orleans recipes, that depends on whose Creole Onion Soup you’re eating.  If you’re savoring a bowl prepared by an old-school Creole or anyone carrying those traditions forward, the soup will likely contain some form of dairy and may even be puréed to a thick, velvety consistency.  Several references to this style of onion soup can be found in various New Orleans cookbooks. The earliest references I discovered were in my mother-in-law’s 1901 edition of [ ... ]

Cooking with Susan Spicer: Cream of Garlic Soup

As I’ve mentioned before, I have a large cookbook collection.  My current index (yes, I alphabetize my addiction) stands at around 240, with 18 more waiting to be added.  The majority of those are regional recipe collections from New Orleans and South Louisiana that I frequently turn to for inspiration and research.  Coincidentally, I rarely cook straight from those books.  I have more fun when I borrow an idea from one recipe and pair it with another.  I also like using traditional ingredients in unconventional and fun ways.  Recently, though, I made a commitment to myself to make at least [ ... ]
Category: Soups  Tags:  Comments off

Sausage and Spinach Soup

It’s just my luck that I want to talk soup when, for the first time in over two months, the mercury’s rising close to 64 degrees.  But I’m dishing out this recipe anyway, because we all know winter’s far from over.  And if you’re like me, you’ll jump at the chance to prepare an easy and comforting pot of soup regardless of the temperature.  Besides being easy, this soup is also satisfying, hearty and healthy.  Its brothy base is enriched with plenty of turkey Italian sausage, spinach and tomatoes.  A dusting of Parmesan cheese at the end brings all of [ ... ]
Category: Main Dishes, Soups  Tags:  3 Comments