Comfort in a Bowl

SOUPS

Soup is pretty much the ultimate family meal. First, there’s the fact that just about everyone loves a warming bowl of soup after a long day or on a chilly afternoon. Second, it’s so easy to throw together a pot of something delicious or, better yet, make a pot of something delicious and freeze it for nights when cooking something from scratch is too much of a stretch. All you need is a crusty loaf of bread or a good salad and you have yourself a meal. Third, there are all sorts of ways to dress up a humble pot of soup and turn it into the perfect family or crowd-pleasing dish: homemade croutons, tortilla strips, candied pepitas for crunch; or mini grilled cheeses for dipping and dunking; or garnishes like fresh herbs, dollops of sour cream or crème fraîche, or sprinklings of just about any cheese. Letting everyone do up their own bowl just the way they like it is just as fun as it is delicious.

And soup is great for entertaining too! We love hosting Soup Sundays, when everyone brings over their favorite one-bowl dish. We set out mugs and bowls so everyone can try each offering, along with tons of toppings and garnishes. Then we pack up all the leftovers so everyone can swap. Lunch for the week: done and done!