A leaf fell in our yard yesterday. You have no idea how happy this makes me. For days I’ve kept my ear to the oak tree outside believing that I might actually be able to hear that “swish” of the first leaf fluttering to the ground. It’s official, friends, Fall is here! Time to break out those chunky sweaters, fuzzy slippers and your very coziest of comfort food recipes.
No single food has been of more comfort to me over the years than good ol’ soup. A hot, melt-y grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of canned tomato soup seemed to right everything with the world when I was a kid. And, honestly, I think we’d all still be well-served by increasing the amount of soup in our lives (and melted cheese!)
Brazil, IN native Tina Geier has taken that old-fashioned tomato soup and jazzed it up with the addition of a few simple ingredients. Basil, heavy cream and chopped tomato give a face-lift to otherwise plain canned soup. You will be amazed at the results! And, as always, we love a recipe that is fast and easy! Pair it with Stephanie Jameson’s homemade Herbed Breadsticks and you’ve got a meal for all ages.
Looking to take your soup bowl up yet another notch? How about adding a Mexican kick?! The flavors of Mexico really come alive in Texan Kim Wiese’s Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup. Imagine a delicious traditional tortilla soup with the added richness of cream cheese… making for a savory, soul-soothing dish that is a meal all on its own. Top it off with a bit of sliced avocado and watch the smiles spread ’round your table.
For those chilly evenings when you’re dreaming less of spicy Mexican fiestas and more of warm Italian breezes, try Terri Slotterback’s recipe for Real Italian Minestrone. Her dish turns common pantry ingredients into a Mediterranean delight.
“My Aunt got this recipe from an Italian chef in center city Philly way back in the 50’s,” says Terri. “My family loves it. I think it’s very easy and especially delicious with a loaf of crusty Italian bread and butter.”
Now, lest I leave the fellas out, I must tell you about the wonderful Cabbage and Sausage Soup recipe that we first tried last winter. This recipe, submitted by Mike Killebrew of Carlsbad, NM, is so delicious that we’ve been looking forward to making it again all year. With it’s hearty (dare we say, manly?) mixture of smoked sausage, chunky vegetables and melt-in-your-mouth cabbage, your guests will never believe that this is a one-step recipe! Throw all the ingredients in the pot and go!
“This is one of my top three cabbage recipes,” explains Mike. “It’s healthy and so good.”
Oh, right… We forgot that it’s nutritious too! (That happens to us sometimes when we’re so bowled over by flavor.)
Speaking of healthy(ish), do you know what else would go great with these sensational soups? A yummy salad! Don’t forget to enter your favorite salad creation in the Just A Pinch Ultimate Salad Toss! You and your recipe may just win a dream trip to Nashville and a $1,000 shopping spree a the Viking Culinary Center! Don’t miss the deadline – ENTER TODAY!