How’s the weather behaving where you are? Hopefully better than the politics. I hope it’s warm and beautiful and the buds are out, maybe even blooming. It hasn’t quite gotten spring-like around here yet, which is why I’m sharing this post today for Five Best Homemade Soup Recipes.
So Jon and I were up in Quebec City this past weekend. It’s such a beautiful city, have you ever visited? This was our first time. The view above is from the top deck of the ferry looking back across the icy St. Lawrence River at Old Quebec City. You can see the imposing Chateau de Frontenac beyond the wall on the hill. (I’ll post more about our visit to Quebec City this coming weekend.) We stayed in the old walled part of the city. So much history. And they’d just gotten a big snowfall, maybe a foot the day before we arrived. The temperatures were low. Very low. In fact, one morning it was -15° when we woke up. Now that’s some serious soup weather and I had that on my mind as we traipsed all over the city, bundled to the max. I was thinking about soup, crepes, beignets and hot coffee! 🙂
So we arrived home in New Hampshire and it’s still cold here, but not nearly as frigid as it was five and a half hours north in Quebec City. So tonight I’m making soup and it got me thinking that we still have some soup weather left. So I’m sharing Five Best Homemade Soup Recipes today for those of you still experiencing the winter temps.
Simon Pearce Restaurant is located in an 1800’s mill in Quechee, VT, and where I first tasted Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup. Such a flavorful cheddar cheese soup, the recipe is world famous.
Melt butter in a large stockpot. Saute garlic and onion, then add flour to make a roux. Stir in chicken stock and season with fresh thyme and spices. Add grated Cabot sharp cheddar cheese, cream and half and half. While this isn’t a diet recipe, Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup is the ideal creamy main dish soup for a satisfying cold weather New England lunch or supper. Recipe here: Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup
Arroz Caldo is chicken rice soup, a staple in the Philippines. (And our house too.) The key to the excellent flavor of this Arroz Caldo is fresh ginger. The name Arroz Caldo literally means “rice porridge” or “rice soup.” This is a quick, nourishing meal if you’re sick or to boost your immunities. It’s so flavorful and my entire family prefers it to a traditional chicken and rice soup. Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger has many health benefits including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recipe here: Arroz Caldo
Chicken Enchilada Soup has to be one of the most satisfying and flavorful soup recipes in my recipe box. It’s also the one I’ve passed on most through the years. Chicken Enchilada Soup is a warm and comforting, mildly spicy soup perfect for cold days. It’s a knockoff recipe of the Chili’s Restaurant Chicken Enchilada Soup.
The base of this soup is made from Mexican corn flour (masa harina). It definitely has that Mexican flavor. It’s the cumin. And garlic. And onions. Mmmmmm. How ’bout that cheese? Ooooo! It just gets better and better. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love this soup. This is a main dish soup, great with crusty bread and a salad. I often double this recipe for parties and group events. Recipe here: Chicken Enchilada Soup
Everyone loves Ham and Cheese Soup and it’s so easy to make. Even the littlest kids don’t realize it’s chock full of veggies: onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. (And we sure don’t tell ’em!) Recipe here: Ham & Cheese Soup
Bursting with flavor, Hearty Italian Sausage Soup makes a great meal all by itself. The Italian sausage flavors this soup beautifully. But the secret ingredient? Parmesan cheese. It ties the tomatoes and sausage together beautifully. This thick and chunky soup is perfect for frigid winter nights and will have your family coming back for seconds. It’s what’s for dinner! Recipe here: Hearty Italian Sausage Soup
So grab a spoon and enjoy these Five Best Homemade Soup Recipes . I hope that spring arrives wherever you are very soon. (My wish for me too!)
You may also like: New England Corn Chowder
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
New soups to try…yay! I love soup and we eat it year round…maybe not as much in the summer time, but there’s always rainy days, right?! I definitely want to try that Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup!
Isn’t Quebec City beautiful? We went on a family vacation there one year…it was one of my favorite trips!
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
Allie, these recipes look so delicious! I really enjoy soup and I’m a big fan of cheese. I’ll have to try that Vermont Cheddar Soup for sure! I still can’t get over the temperature in Quebec. That makes me want to crawl back under the covers just thinking about it. Quebec sounds like a lovely place to visit and I’m glad you got to get away for a few days. Stay warm my friend, Spring is just around the corner! 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Allie, I love homemade soups and yours always impress me. And enjoy Quebec–love it there!
Aunt Pinkie says
Love soups and each one looks fabulous! And while our weather has shown at least signs of warming up, soups are always comforting!
Catherine says
Dear Allie, I can always go for soup! In fact I have a pot of soup simmering away as I write to you…it’s just comforting for the soul and it’s not even that cold out there today. I love this collection…each looks delicious! xo, Catherine
Susie Mandel says
Of course, we’re already on our way to summer here in SC, with temps heading to the 80s. Thankfully, it’s still cooling down in the evenings. Looking forward with anticipation to this weekend’s post about Old Quebec. 🙂
Carina says
Dear Allie, I don’t know what it is, but I have always loved soups, even in the summer. (By the way, have you ever tried gazpacho? It’s a cold soup for hot weather, originating from Spain.) This list of soups simply made my mouth water and I think you’ve inspired me to make a big pot of it this weekend. Now I just have to decide which one…yum! How exciting about your trip out here to Canada. I am so looking forward to reading your weekend post. Enjoy the rest of the week. Xo
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Soup is my all time favorite sub-category of food! It’s my favorite thing to make and I eat it year round! I love this selection!
Ramona W says
Oh My!! All that snow in Quebec! I don’t want to think of snow any more. 🙂 We are having some freaky summer weather right now in the 80’s, but I would still dig into all those bowls of soup!! I love soup! 🙂
Marye says
All 5 of these look so delicious, especially the cheddar soup! yum!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I’ve never been to Quebec City before, but it looks gorgeous.. and cold. 😉 One of these days, preferably in the spring, I will have to road trip it up there! The weather has been warm and beautiful here, but I can (and do) eat soup year round, so I’m loving this round up! All five look delicious and I can see why they made your list! Cheers, friend – to a fabulous weekend! <3 xoxo
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
It’s warm here today – 72 degrees – but I have soup on my mind – thanks to your post, Allie 🙂
Like hot coffee, I adore hot soup year round and these bowls are simply tantalizing! I remember when you posted that Arroz Caldo – but I don’t remeber this Hearty Italian Sausage Soup which looks yumalicious!
By the way – looking forward to reading about your arctic expedition over the weekend – hope these next few days are wonderful for ya – and yay – tomorrow is Friday!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
soup is my favorite meal to eat and cook. I’d love to try Arroz Caldo!
Eva says
Je suis ravie de ton weekend à Québec en amoureux ! Je n’ai jamais était las bas mais ça doit être magnifique. J’adore tes soupes, elles sont l’air très bonnes et avoir le pouvoir de réchauffer tout de suite ! xoxo
Maria says
olelele yaa
Susan says
Love Simon Pearce! Can’t wait to try the recipe and your others! Thank you! <3