Four Fabulous Fall Soups!!

When the weather starts getting cooler during the day and the leaves are tinged with yellows and reds, I start to think of soups again. Although I enjoy cold soups in the summertime, there's really nothing like a warm bowl of hearty soup with some freshly baked bread in my mind!!

I had fully stocked my freezer with chili, but my ready-to-eat soups were gone...so I pulled out my FAVOURITE soup book, "400 Best-Ever Soups" by Anne Sheasby, and got to work. I decided to use up whatever I had in my pantry, cupboards and refrigerator and found these delicious recipes that I hope you will enjoy too!

SPICED PARSNIP SOUP

Ingredients:

3 tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped

1 1/2lbs parsnips, peeled and diced

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

1/4 tsp chili powder

5 cups vegetable stock

2/3 cup light cream

• Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion and parsnips and saute for approximately 3 minutes.
• Stir in the spices and cook for 1 minute more, or until fragrant.
• Add the stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
• Cool slightly and then puree in a blender or food processor until smooth.
• Return to the pot and add the cream, heating gently.
• Put into bowls and garnish with fresh coriander...ENJOY!

ROASTED TOMATO & PASTA SOUP

Ingredients:

1 lb ripe Italian plum tomatoes (although I used grape tomatoes), halved lengthwise

1 large red bell pepper, sliced lengthwise and seeded

1 large red onion, quartered

2 garlic cloves

1 tbsp olive oil

5 cups vegetable stock

pinch of granulated sugar

1 cup small pasta

salt and ground pepper

• Preheat the oven to 375F and spread out the tomatoes, garlic, onions and peppers on a roasting pan and drizzle with the olive oil. Roast for 30 to 45 minutes or until the vegetables are soft and slightly charred. Turn them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even roasting.
• Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor and add 1 cup of stock. Process until pureed. Scrape into a sieve and press the puree through into a Dutch oven. Discard the solids.
• Add the remaining stock , sugar and salt and pepper. Bring to the boil.
• Add the pasta and simmer for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until al dente. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• ENJOY

*You can roast the vegetables in advance, allow them to cool then leave them in a covered bowl in the refrigerator overnight before pureeing*

IRISH LEEK & BLUE CHEESE SOUP

Ingredients:

3 large leeks

1/4 cup butter

2 tbsp oil

4oz blue cheese (if I had Cashel blue I would have used an Irish cheese)

2 tbsp all purpose flour

1 tbsp wholegrain Irish mustard

6 1/4 cups chicken stock

ground black pepper

• Slice the leeks thinly. Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven and add the oil. Gently saute the leeks in the oil and butter until softened, but not brown.
• Grate the cheese (or crumble it like I did!), and add it to the pot, stirring over a low heat until it is melted. Add the flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Add ground black pepper and mustard to taste.
• Gradually add the stock, stirring constantly and blending it in well. Bring the soup to the boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
• ENJOY!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & APPLE SOUP

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 cooking apple, peeled, cored and chopped

2 tbsp butter

1 onion, finely chopped

2 tsp curry powder

3 3/4 cups vegetable stock

1 tsp chopped fresh sage (or 1/4 tsp of dried)

2/3 cup apple juice

salt and pepper

• Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven, over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring for 5 minutes or until soft. Stir in the curry powder. Cook to bring out the flavour and stir constantly for 2 minutes.
• Add the stock, squash, apple and sage. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the squash and apples are soft.
• Puree the soup in blender or food processor. Return to the pot and add the apple juice. Taste and season accordingly.
• ENJOY!