The essence of this Vietnamese pho lies in the long-cooking, rich beef broth which forms the base of the soup - the slow cooker is the ultimate tool for the task. Fresh, vibrant garnishes, like bean sprouts, assorted fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro and basil, thinly sliced onion, chilies and lime wedges, make each and every bowl of soup unique. Serve them at the table in separate bowls so each person can create the pho of their dreams.
"Meatball stew" doesn't convey the spicy goodness of these lean pork meatballs simmered in broth. They are perfectly delicious with a sprinkle of parsley and a bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. This is a recipe from the family collection of Andr?eauchamp of Ottawa, but variations on the theme are found in Canada wherever French is spoken. Ragout de Boulettes reheats beautifully and travels well to chalet or potluck suppers.
Chunky vegetables, rich broth, nourishing beans, nuggets of pasta and a golden sprinkle of Parmesan — that's amore, or minestrone. It's more than just a soup. Perfect for cold weather and lean times, minestrone has the look, taste and aroma that's satisfying enough for body and soul. Learn how to chop vegetables neatly and quickly and make a quick pesto dress-up for a soup that tastes as good as it looks.
You will never want to buy broth again after tasting this homemade chicken stock, which couldn't be simpler to make, thanks to your slow cooker. Homemade stock with no added salt is not only far more delicious than store-bought, but it also allows for better control over the amount of sodium you add to your recipes. Use whatever vegetables you have in the fridge, including the green tops of leeks and shallots, and celery leaves.
Sinigang (probably the most popular of all Filipino soups) is a sour broth with a variety of vegetables. Fish, seafood, meat and poultry can all be made into sinigang, which is soured by a variety of fruits: green or ripe tamarind; lime, lemon or kalamansi, the native citrus fruit; sour guava; and, especially for chicken or pork sinigang, bilimbi (kamias in Filipino), a small, tart relative of the star fruit (or carambola) that tastes remarkably like rhubarb, which we have used here.
This juicy dish of mussels in a mouthwatering cider and vegetable broth is just made for mopping up with lots of crusty bread.
The saying that mussels are in season when there’s an “r” in the month holds true, and you can enjoy them fresh from September to April, depending how warm and early autumn and spring are. Brancaster Staithe, in North Norfolk, is particularly famed for this delicious shellfish, and signs outside many cottages proclaim “mussels for sale.” They’re well worth shelling out for.
Tinola, a favourite on Filipino dinner tables, is made in many variations. The most traditional vegetables used in this soup are green (unripe) papaya or chayote squash, but other green squashes and melons are used, too. Zucchini makes a fine substitute; just make sure to take out the seeds and soft core. The soup is traditionally finished with herbal leaves, such as those of the native malunggay tree, or with chili leaves, the small tender leaves of hot pepper plants, which are tasty but not hot; watercress lends a similar flavour. Use a free-range chicken; if you buy the poultry at an Asian market, you get the head and feet, too, which add lots of extra flavour to the broth.
Serve up this zesty salad with our Grilled Pork Chops With Herbes Salées.
Called stracciatella in Italian, this light and simple chicken noodle soup with threads of egg and cheese is perfect for a sensitive tummy. Serve with more cheese to sprinkle over top if desired.
