This classic French soup gets its body from the silkiness of the pured cucumbers and its kick from the peppery watercress. This soup becomes more flavorful as time passes, so don't hesitate to make it 24 to 48 hours in advance. SERVES 4 TO 6 AS A FIRST COURSE 2...
There seem to be as many versions of borscht as there are species of plants. I like cold borscht to be smooth and spicy and topped with sour cream. My husband looks forward to this soup each summer, and so in our house this recipe serves only two! SERVES 6 AS A FIRST...
A thick, rich soup that doesn't demand much time to prepare. This soup is an exception to the soup rule in that it should not be prepared well in advance because the cauliflower and macaroni risk being overcooked and becoming mushy. Serve with a good whole-grain bread...
Wintertime Tomato Soup MAKES: 4 servings TIME: About 11/2 hours, mostly unattended When you crave tomato soup during the deep, dark days of January, it makes sense to prepare a seasonally appropriate version, using canned and dried tomatoes. The combination is...
Whole Wheat Noodles in Curry Broth MAKES: 4 first-course or 2 main-dish servings TIME: 45 minutes American curries from the sixties and seventies often included chopped apples, sweetened coconut, raisins, nuts, and other assorted accompaniments. With a little...
White Bean Soup MAKES: 4 servings TIME: At least 1 hour You can make soup out of any bean you like, of course, but small white beans cook more quickly than most. (Even without soaking, you need as little as an hour, though for various reasons see Plain Talk About...
Virginian Peanut Soup MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 45 minutes Where Peanut Soup, Senegalese Style, is rustic and loaded with vegetables, this classic American peanut soup is subtle and refined. Traditionally, a smooth, roux-thickened peanut soup signals the beginning of a...
Vegetable Soup, Thai Style MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 30 minutes This style of Thai soup tends to be thin, almost meager, but extremely flavorful, laced with lime, chile, and lemongrass. The selection of vegetables here is pretty traditional, but you can substitute...
Ultra-Fast Avocado Soup MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 10 minutes, plus time to chill This lovely, celadon-colored soup is about as simple as it gets; the subtle, rich flavors of avocado and milk benefit from a hit of acidity, so I add orange or lime juice at the end, but...
Tortilla Soup MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 1 hour Usually cobbled together from leftovers, and truly one of the best uses for stale tortillas, this is delicious and fortifying enough to warrant the limelight. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the soup is at...
