serves 4 Pho, pronounced fuh, is a hearty Vietnamese soup traditionally made with beef. In this quick and tasty, albeit nontraditional, version, seitan, or wheat meat, replaces the beef. Look for seitan in the refrigerated section of natural food stores. If you can’t…

serves 4 Frozen stir-fry vegetables are the secret to the speed of preparing this flavorful Asian soup. If you have extra time, chop some fresh vegetables to replace the frozen ones. Celery, carrots, and bok choy are good choices. Snow peas make a good addition as…

serves 4 Cucumber and avocado team up for a refreshing chilled soup that is light yet rich-tasting and creamy. This recipe makes enough for four small bowls to serve as a lovely first course but can easily be doubled if you want more soup. I think the radish makes an…

serves 4 to 6 If you prefer your gazpacho more on the spicy side, begin with a spicy tomato-vegetable juice, such as Spicy Hot V8, or serve with the Tabasco bottle handy, so hot-food lovers can spice the soup to their own taste. (Note: Since this soup benefits from…

serves 4 Red lentils are the quickest-cooking variety of lentils, making them an ideal candidate for a quick soup. Curry powder adds an Indian flavor, making this soup reminiscent of dal, the savory lentil and bean dish of India. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1…

serves 4 To brighten the flavor of the soup slightly, add a splash of sherry during the last 5 minutes of cooking time. Another nice change is to use different herbs, according to preference and what’s available. One suggestion is to substitute fresh dill for both the…

serves 4 The classic Italian vegetable soup typically includes a wide variety of vegetables. Using frozen vegetables reduces the prep time as well as the cooking time, but fresh vegetables may be used instead if you prefer. Cooked pasta, rice, or orzo added at the…

serves 4 Creamy and delicious with a delightful crunch of nuts, this sweet and spicy soup is a great way to begin an autumn meal. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup chopped onions 2 tablespoons curry powder 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree 2 cups vegetable broth…

serves 4 This luxurious corn chowder includes lima beans as an homage to succotash. Because baby limas are smaller than the larger ones, they take less time to cook. To cut cooking time further, heat the vegetable broth in the microwave for 5 minutes while the onions…

serves 4 The smoky rich flavor of the chipotle helps make this soup taste like it’s been simmering all day. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup sliced baby carrots ¾ cup chopped onions 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon ground cumin 3 (16-ounce) cans black…

serves 4 A nearly infinite variety of variations on the classic bean and pasta soup can be found throughout Italy. No wonder it’s so popular—it’s hearty, filling, and delicious. This soup can also be made with leftover cooked pasta—just add during the last few minutes…

serves 4 Wholesome and hearty, this soup is especially good on a cold winter day, and because it’s made with quick-cooking barley, it can be ready in minutes. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 5 cups vegetable broth (page 15) ¾ cup…