Hearth And Home

By Christy Rost, January 2004

Just in time for chilly days and frosty winter nights, this month's focus on soups will make you all warm and cozy inside. My recipes for these perennial favorites contain the classic flavors we all love, and my easy-to-follow instructions guarantee delectable soups that are pretty-as-a-picture.

Creamy mushroom soup has always been one of my favorites. From hearty versions, dense with onions and wild mushrooms, to more delicate varieties, where a refined, creamy broth is the star and thinly-sliced mushrooms are featured only in a supporting role, I've enjoyed countless steaming bowls of this flavorful elixir while lunching with close friends or dining in romantic little restaurants with my husband Randy.

New England Clam Chowder is another favorite in our household. My version was influenced by summers spent on Cape Cod when my sisters and I were growing up. Our next door neighbor, Ruth Mahoney, made the absolute best clam chowder. While developing recipes for cooking classes, I was reminded of how wonderfully silky & flavorful Mrs. Mahoney's chowder was, so be sure to try the recipe I created in tribute to this dear, sweet lady.

For a hearty soup that's a meal in itself, Old Chicago Minestrone is just the ticket. Thick with vegetables, cannellini and garbanzo beans, and pasta in a tomato-based broth, this Italian tradition tastes divine on a cold winter night. It's nutritious, delicious, and the perfect one-pot meal. Why not cook up a pot this weekend? It's a real crowd pleaser.

Now you can savor these culinary treats at home, and there's no better time to cozy up to the hearth with a hot bowl of soup than in the peaceful days following the holidays. For a simple winter supper with your family or an easy-does-it gathering with a few friends, place large, plump pillows suitable for seating on the floor around a coffee table, and fill the center of the table with candles of all sizes. Light the fire, turn on some beautiful music, and gather around the coffee table for a meal of homemade soup, salad, rolls, and dessert. It's a delightfully delicious way to start the New Year.